Although Ahmedabad Test defeat was tough on confidence, skipper Alastair Cook is expecting a quick turnaround in the series. “Clearly, last week was tough on confidence when we got beaten heavily. The beauty of the game is that there is possibility of quick turnaround. Now we have got the chance and the opportunity to try and put it right. That is what we are going to do. We have to try and learn from last week and play well,’’ said Cook, on the eve of the second Test on Thursday.
Cook, who refused to name the team, said the first innings runs are vital. “We know that. I spoke about it when we lost the game and I have been speaking about it ever since. We know how important that is. We have got an opportunity now and a brand new situation. Whether you win or lose, you start on a level playing field straight away. We are going to try and use that to our advantage.”
The England skipper said they would pick a team that will trouble India. “We have some world class players with fantastic records. We have to hold our hands up in these conditions, we haven’t played well enough. There is no one else to blame. If you see us train now, we are definitely trying to do the right things and it is now about transferring that out in the middle. And try to get into the rhythm of batting out there and try and put the runs on the board.”
Cook revealed that Ian Bell, who was blessed with a child, will not play in this Test as he has returned to England. “He is not with us, so it gives another guy an opportunity to come in. We are going to miss his experience but it gives someone else the opportunity to show the selectors and show us what he can do.
“He (the new player) has got an opportunity to grasp and if he takes it then there is competition for the place. Talking about Kevin Pietersen, Cook said the star batsman held his hand up and said he didn’t perform well last week.
“You don’t need to tell him that. He knows that and anyone who has ever written off KP in the past has been proved wrong very quickly. He is a world class player and has scored hundreds everywhere around the world. Yes he had a bad game like we all can have a bad game.”