Cameron Ponsonby

Ben Stokes’s dramatic retirement from Test cricket delivered a final spell of chaos and brilliance that reflected his career-long showmanship. England’s turbulent form, internal tensions since the Ashes, and Stokes’s personal struggles frame his decision to step away. With Harry Brook emerging as his preferred successor despite concerns over suitability, England faces continued instability. Stokes leaves after 15 years as the team’s defining force, exiting in a manner consistent with the theatrical intensity that made him a standout figure in the sport.

The ECB has decided to retain Brendon McCullum as England men’s head coach, Rob Key as managing director and Ben Stokes as captain despite an Ashes campaign that exposed failures in leadership, preparation and standards. Chief executive Richard Gould argues that McCullum’s tenure has increased Test-cricket viewership and that changing personnel would not guarantee improvement. The decision has been criticized as an absence of accountability, particularly because the same leadership group now has no previous regime to blame and must deliver against India and Australia in the next four-year cycle.

England enter the 2026 T20 World Cup in strong form, having won 10 of their last 11 matches, with a powerful batting order and excellent spin options despite concerns over their seam bowling. India are the clear favourites, while England are portrayed as the strongest of the remaining teams. The tournament has been overshadowed by political disputes: Bangladesh withdrew after the ICC rejected its request to move matches from India to Sri Lanka, following Mustafizur Rahman's removal from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad, and Pakistan plans to boycott its match against India in support of Bangladesh. The controversy has raised accusations of preferential treatment, exposed links between Indian cricket authorities and the ruling BJP, and threatened the financial importance of the India-Pakistan fixture.

England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat has exposed a growing divide between Ben Stokes’s willingness to adopt a more traditional, situational style and Brendon McCullum’s commitment to the team’s established aggressive values. Although Stokes and McCullum publicly maintain that their relationship is strong, England have won fewer matches than they have lost over the past three years and have failed to win any of their major five-match series against India or Australia. McCullum will remain in charge through the T20 World Cup, after which the ECB will decide his future. Stokes is expected to stay as captain, while England must also develop more leadership within the dressing room.

Jacob Bethell’s unbeaten 142 in the Sydney Test highlighted both England’s talent-spotting success and its poor handling of his development. England boldly promoted him to No. 3 after limited domestic cricket and were rewarded with early half-centuries, but then left him on the bench, allowed Ollie Pope to reclaim the position, and gave Bethell little competitive cricket before the Ashes. His century, achieved after a technical adjustment and only a handful of matches in 2025, demonstrated the talent England nearly failed to properly support and offered a promising indication of his future.

England’s collapse on day three of the final Ashes Test, marked by dropped catches, poor bowling, wasted reviews and questionable tactics, is presented as evidence that the Ben Stokes–Brendon McCullum era has reached its end. The relaxed, attacking Bazball culture that initially liberated England has evolved into sloppiness and failed to prepare newer players for the pressure of an Ashes tour. Despite Rob Key and ECB chief executive Richard Gould backing the leadership team, the column argues that England should move on from McCullum and begin a new phase while retaining Stokes as captain and continuing to develop young players such as Jacob Bethell and Jamie Smith.

England’s Ashes struggles in Sydney continued as inconsistent bowling allowed Australia to score rapidly and Joe Root’s excellent 160 was followed by a collapse in which England’s final four wickets fell for nine runs. Jamie Smith’s dismissal for 46, an ill-advised attempt to attack a bouncer from part-time spinner Marnus Labuschagne, became the clearest symbol of England’s poor decision-making. Despite individual flashes of quality, including Root’s 41st Test century and Brydon Carse’s wicket-taking, the team’s inability to sustain good sessions has made repeated failures seem like a standard rather than an exception.

Joe Root and Harry Brook’s unbeaten partnership gave England their best day of the Ashes, with 154 runs added after early wickets fell in Sydney. Their calm, high-quality batting offered a glimpse of the competitiveness England had promised, but the performance came too late, with Australia already leading the series and the campaign defined by England’s chronic batting and bowling underperformance. Rain-reduced play also limited England’s opportunity to self-destruct, leaving the result more frustrating than restorative.

England’s Ashes campaign has exposed serious weaknesses in the Stokes-McCullum-Key regime, including poor selection, inadequate preparation and mishandling of players such as Jacob Bethell and Shoaib Bashir. Although Ben Stokes remains committed to Brendon McCullum and a Sydney victory could offer momentum, England’s recent results are no better than two years ago and the regime has little evidence beyond its initial success to justify continuation. The piece argues that accountability may require a return to more structured coaching and selection, while noting that Stokes remains the strongest leadership option and that the team has been highly entertaining.

England secured a long-awaited Ashes Test victory in Australia at Melbourne, ending an 18-match winless streak and giving Ben Stokes and Joe Root their first wins there. The match ended in just two days on a difficult, low-scoring pitch, with England’s aggressive Bazball approach helping overturn Australia’s advantage in a 175-run chase. While the result offers England a psychological breakthrough and relief for supporters, it also intensifies frustration that this approach appeared only after the team had fallen 3–0 behind. The article criticizes the increasing frequency of two-day Tests and argues that extreme pitches and changing bowling and batting techniques are damaging the format.

Harry Brook’s aggressive 41 from 34 balls, scored after England fell to 8 for 3, embodied the attacking mindset England have promoted under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. The innings contrasted with a cautious approach in Adelaide and suggested that England have lost conviction in Bazball during the Ashes. Although Australia bowled superbly on a seaming MCG pitch and England remained only 46 runs behind at the close, the team’s shift toward caution was presented as a deeper strategic and psychological problem.

England’s Ashes defeat in Adelaide appears to mark the end of the team’s uncompromising Bazball era under Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum and Rob Key. Although England showed greater discipline and resilience in defeat, the shift away from their previously fearless style highlighted the approach’s loss of momentum. Stokes remains an inspirational leader and may continue, but his tactics and the team’s inconsistent performances have drawn criticism, leaving the ECB to consider whether a new captain and more conventional regime are needed.

The Adelaide Test appears to mark the end of an era for childhood friends and England batters Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope, who have been repeatedly backed as part of the Bazball project. Crawley’s battling 85 offered evidence of improved composure, although his career remains defined by flashes of promise and doubts over consistency. Pope, by contrast, made only 17 after a prolonged run of poor performances against Australia and India, averaging just 17 in 16 innings against Australia. His struggles are compounded by a sharp decline in second-innings averages and publicly acknowledged sleep problems during Tests. With Australia nearing an Ashes victory, Pope is increasingly likely to lose his place for Melbourne, while Crawley’s future remains uncertain despite his stronger showing.

England collapsed to 168 for eight on the second day of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide after Australia produced sustained, high-quality bowling in punishing heat. Ollie Pope’s latest failure intensified questions over his place, while Ben Stokes battled to 45 not out despite severe cramping and illness. The repeated batting failures have left England’s Ashes hopes effectively finished, with Australia increasingly established as the superior side.

Australia’s third Ashes Test in Adelaide proceeded amid national mourning after a targeted attack on the Jewish community at Bondi Beach killed 15 people. Cricket offered spectators and the wider public a measure of distraction and normality, while players, officials and fans observed a silence, wore black armbands and heard John Williamson perform “True Blue.” Heightened security reflected the country’s unease after a mass shooting that challenged confidence in Australia’s post-Port Arthur gun-control system. The Jewish community, supported by figures across Australian cricket, was portrayed as grieving but resolute.

England’s 2-0 Ashes deficit has exposed a striking difference in tone between captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. McCullum’s suggestion that England had overprepared for the second Test clashed with Stokes’s emotional demand for greater resilience and fight under pressure. The defeat has intensified criticism of England’s preparation, Bazball philosophy and leadership, while the team faces a mid-series break and must recover mentally for the remaining Tests.

Australia reached 378 for six on day two in Brisbane after England squandered multiple opportunities through erratic bowling and five dropped catches. Brydon Carse briefly revived England's hopes with two wickets in an over, while Will Jacks took an exceptional catch to remove Steve Smith, but further errors allowed Alex Carey and Michael Neser to establish a 49-run partnership. England trail by 44 runs and need an improved performance early on day three to keep the Ashes match and series alive.

Joe Root scored his first century in Australia during the second Ashes Test at Brisbane's Gabba, ending a long-standing weakness in his record after 70 innings in the country without a hundred. Arriving with England five for two, Root adapted his technique, played with restraint and partnered Zak Crawley in a 117-run stand. His 40th Test century helped England reach 325 for nine and was praised by Alastair Cook and Crawley as evidence of Root's composure, resilience and status as England's greatest batsman.

England face a daunting second Ashes Test at Brisbane's Gabba after collapsing against Australia in Perth. The venue has historically been one of Australia's strongest, with England last winning there in 1986, while Australia's record in day-night Tests is also formidable. England must contend with Brisbane's heat and humidity, the traditionally fast and bouncy surface, and the pink ball, which particularly suits Mitchell Starc. Recent victories by India in 2021 and the West Indies in 2024 show that Australia can be beaten at the Gabba, but both were landmark achievements, leaving Ben Stokes's side in need of an exceptional performance to keep the series alive.

Brendon McCullum is expected to retain Bazball rather than alter England’s attacking strategy after Australia won the first Ashes Test in Perth by an emphatic margin. The defeat exposed the risks of England’s extreme approach, particularly because the team has not beaten Australia or India during the Bazball era, but McCullum and Ben Stokes maintain that conviction in their methods gives England the best chance of success. They are also standing by Zak Crawley and will not change plans to send senior players to a pink-ball warm-up match in Canberra, decisions that will face intense scrutiny during the remainder of the series.

England suffered an eight-wicket defeat to Australia in the first Ashes Test at Perth after two rapid batting collapses, despite holding a 99-run lead after lunch and setting Australia only 204 to win. Travis Head, promoted to opener because of Usman Khawaja’s injury, struck a blistering 123 from 83 balls to seal the result. Although the collapse exposed England’s vulnerability, captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum are unlikely to abandon their aggressive approach, viewing Head’s success as evidence that attacking intent can work. England must now win three of the remaining four Tests to take the series.

England seized control of the opening Ashes Test in Perth after a dramatic first day in which 19 wickets fell. Australia’s Mitchell Starc claimed seven wickets as England were bowled out for 172, but Jofra Archer and Mark Wood’s extreme pace unsettled Australia’s batting, while Ben Stokes produced a decisive five-wicket haul. Stokes’s tactical field change helped induce Cameron Green’s dismissal, and Australia collapsed from 69 for four to 123 for nine, leaving England with a 49-run lead and early momentum in the series.

England enter the Ashes with an unusually strong opportunity after Australia lost captain Pat Cummins and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood to injury. England are considering either an all-seam attack featuring Mark Wood, despite his limited preparation after hamstring surgery, or a more balanced lineup with spinner Shoaib Bashir. England’s settled batting order and Australia’s ageing squad, potential debutants and weakened bowling attack have shifted the early balance toward the tourists. The series also carries major significance for the legacies of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, while large numbers of travelling England supporters prepare for the first Ashes tour since Covid restrictions prevented overseas fans from attending.

England’s increasingly aggressive on-field persona during the Test series against India has created a tension between their traditional image as entertaining, good-natured cricketers and a deliberate attempt to become more confrontational. Incidents involving Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and Joe Root have shown that the approach is welcomed when it adds intensity to a live contest but criticized when it appears gratuitous, as at Old Trafford after the match was effectively decided. With the Ashes approaching, England’s players and coaches must decide whether the “bad boy” identity suits the team or is merely a temporary response to the pressure of the India series.

Jofra Archer delivered a decisive performance as England defeated India by 22 runs at Lord’s to take a 2–1 lead in the five-match Test series. Returning to Test cricket after a carefully managed rehabilitation and white-ball workload, Archer dismissed Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar on the final day, fulfilling Ben Stokes’s belief that the anniversary of England’s 2019 World Cup triumph would bring something special. The victory validated Archer’s long effort to return to the format, though his continuing fitness problems mean his appearances should be savoured.

Ben Stokes's batting has declined sharply, with an average of 28 since his last Test century and particularly poor returns against spin, raising concerns about his role in England's lineup. Although his bowling remains strong and his leadership and past performances make him indispensable for the Ashes, his limited match practice may be contributing to the slump. England could give him more warm-up cricket, move him down the order, or in extreme conditions bat him at eight, though the preferred outcome is for Stokes to regain form and remain at six.

Jamie Smith’s unbeaten 184, including a rapid century and a record-breaking score for an England wicketkeeper, powered a 303-run sixth-wicket partnership with Harry Brook. Smith combined aggressive strokeplay with disciplined defence after England lost Joe Root and Ben Stokes early, demonstrating the batting and wicketkeeping qualities England have long sought. However, India’s dominance across the match left England trailing by 244 runs at the close, making Smith and Brook’s remarkable counterattack unlikely to change the result.

India face a difficult bowling-selection decision before the second Test against England, with Jasprit Bumrah's fitness and preannounced workload plan at the center of the debate. The team must also address poor catching and a severely underperforming lower order after losing the first Test at Headingley. India are expected to choose between the wicket-taking threat of Kuldeep Yadav and the batting depth of Washington Sundar, while possible changes to the pace attack could see Akash Deep or Arshdeep Singh replace the expensive Prasidh Krishna. England will begin with an unchanged side, although Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood and Jofra Archer may feature later in the series.

Ben Duckett’s 149 helped England complete the second-highest successful run chase in their Test history, defeating India at Headingley while pursuing 350 on the final day. His aggressive reverse sweeps, adaptable technique and consistency since returning to the Test side in 2022 are presented as evidence that he belongs among England’s greatest openers. The victory also underscored the impact of Brendon McCullum’s aggressive “Bazball” era, with four of England’s ten highest Test run chases now achieved under that approach.

Rishabh Pant marked his return to Test cricket in England with twin centuries at Headingley, helping define a reshaped Indian side after the departures of Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and Rohit Sharma. His unconventional, high-risk batting drew fierce criticism when it failed but admiration when it succeeded, including from Sunil Gavaskar. Pant's achievement is especially notable after his near-fatal 2022 car crash and nearly two-year absence from Test cricket. His statistics, including eight Test centuries and four in England, reinforce his status as one of the game's outstanding wicketkeeper-batters, while his appointment as vice-captain brings greater responsibility without diminishing his distinctive attacking style.

Ben Stokes has returned from a second major hamstring injury and a long-running knee problem to deliver an outstanding bowling performance for England at Headingley against India, taking four wickets in 20 overs. His willingness to push his body to the limit remains central to both his identity and England’s success, despite concerns about recurring injuries. The India series and the subsequent Ashes in Australia could define the Bazball era and Stokes’s latest chapter as captain, though his established legacy would survive either outcome.

The five-Test series between England and India is presented as a defining test of Bazball before the Ashes. England’s attacking, unconventional approach has produced records and revitalized the team, but recent defeats, inconsistent performances and strained relations with supporters have increased the pressure on Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. India are rebuilding after the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin, with Shubman Gill taking over as captain and Jasprit Bumrah remaining the decisive figure despite possible workload limits. The outcomes against India and Australia will determine whether Bazball is remembered as an enjoyable experiment or a successful route to sustained Test cricket victories.

Brendon McCullum begins his tenure as England’s white-ball coach with the aim of restoring joy, confidence and attacking intent to a team that underperformed at the 2023 ODI World Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup. His close relationship with captain Jos Buttler, along with his successful transformation of England’s Test side, is seen as central to the revival. The first squad reflects a partial merging of Test and white-ball selections, including the returns of Joe Root and several Test players, while 21-year-old Jacob Bethell emerges as a key prospect. England’s tour of India and the subsequent Champions Trophy will provide the first test of whether McCullum’s approach can reverse the team’s decline.

England finished a demanding 2024 Test schedule with nine wins and eight defeats, including a heavy loss to New Zealand in Hamilton. Despite the inconsistency, Brendon McCullum believes the squad is deeper and stronger, with emerging players such as Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith improving England’s options. The main selection questions are whether Bethell or Ollie Pope should bat at No. 3, how much support to continue giving Zak Crawley and Shoaib Bashir, and whether Ben Stokes can remain a fully functioning all-rounder after another hamstring injury. Those issues will shape England’s preparations for the 2025 home series against India and the Ashes in Australia.

England’s 2-0 Test series lead in New Zealand highlights the emergence of a new generation after the departures of Stuart Broad, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow and James Anderson. Despite caveats arising from New Zealand’s poor fielding and inconsistent performances, Harry Brook and Joe Root have formed a world-class batting partnership, while Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse have established themselves as fast-bowling leaders. Jacob Bethell has also strengthened the batting depth, with Jamie Smith expected to return in the summer. The main challenge will be balancing the squad when India tour England and the full group of emerging and returning players cannot all fit into the lineup.

England’s eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in Christchurch was driven by Brydon Carse’s ten-wicket match haul and Jacob Bethell’s unbeaten 50, although New Zealand’s eight dropped catches—five reprieves for Harry Brook, who scored 171—were decisive. Carse’s pace, bounce and versatility have vindicated England’s faith in a player whose domestic record is solid rather than exceptional and who recently served a ban for historic gambling offences. Bethell’s impact at No. 3 creates a selection dilemma over whether Ollie Pope should remain as wicketkeeper, while a win in Wellington would secure England’s first Test series victory in New Zealand since 2008.

Jacob Bethell’s impressive white-ball performances and evident natural talent have earned him an unexpected Test debut for England at No. 3 against New Zealand. Although his first innings produced only 10 runs, two authoritative boundaries and his composure suggested he belongs at international level. The selection is nevertheless risky: Bethell had never made a professional century or batted at No. 3, and was originally intended only to gain experience on tour. England may retain him for the series if Ollie Pope continues keeping wicket, but the article warns that exposing such a gifted young player too early could hinder rather than develop his Test career.

England’s unconventional decision to debut 21-year-old Jacob Bethell at No. 3 epitomizes the bold selection approach of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. The move comes before a three-Test series in New Zealand, where England will face unfamiliar seam-friendly conditions after losing in Pakistan, while New Zealand arrive after an historic 3-0 series victory in India. Tim Southee is set to play his final series, with Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke key threats for the hosts. New Zealand remain in contention for the World Test Championship final, whereas England are effectively eliminated and focused on building toward next year’s series against India and Australia. The unpredictable results of recent Test cricket make the series difficult to forecast, reinforcing the sport’s current competitiveness and entertainment value.

New Zealand’s victory over South Africa in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup was the first final without Australia or England and made New Zealand the first team from the country to win a cricket World Cup. The result suggests that the competitive gap in women’s cricket may be narrowing, but the article argues it was an exception rather than evidence of equal conditions. Australia, England and India remain dominant largely because they have the greatest resources, while teams such as the West Indies and South Africa continue to face inadequate facilities, funding and domestic competitions. New Zealand’s progression from amateurs in the 2009 final to professionals and champions in 2024 is presented as evidence that investment in women’s cricket produces results.

England’s early exit from the T20 World Cup, following similar defeats in recent competitions, has revived concerns about the team’s ability to handle pressure in decisive matches. Despite extensive preparation, including data analysis and simulated chaotic scenarios, England lost to West Indies after their performance deteriorated during the chase. Heather Knight and head coach Jon Lewis remain keen to continue, and neither expects major personnel changes, but better communication, emotional management, leadership development and possibly fitness are areas of scrutiny. The January Ashes series in Australia will provide a much stronger test of whether the World Cup failure was an isolated misfortune or evidence that deeper change is needed.

England enter the Women’s T20 World Cup aiming to end a title drought dating back to 2009, with their campaign built around a world-leading spin trio of Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean and Sarah Glenn. The tournament’s relocation from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates has strengthened the case for spin, particularly at Sharjah, where England expect low-bouncing pitches and may select four frontline spinners, including Linsey Smith. England face Bangladesh, South Africa, Scotland and the West Indies in the group stage, with a semi-final place viewed as the minimum expectation, although Australia remain the favourites after winning six of the last seven titles.

The T20 World Cup has produced a clear success in Dallas, where strong crowds—including a large Nepalese diaspora—created vibrant atmospheres and the United States achieved a major upset against Pakistan. Florida’s record rainfall has threatened to wash out matches, while New York’s expensive temporary stadium suffered from unreliable, low-scoring drop-in pitches that undermined the tournament’s promotional potential. Cricket is unlikely to rival baseball in the United States, but the sport has a substantial South Asian fanbase, significant investment through Major League Cricket and growing community interest. Its long-term success will depend on converting that money and passion into a durable grassroots system.

England’s 4-1 series defeat in India exposed the limits of the Bazball approach, despite several earlier opportunities to make the series closer. Brendon McCullum accepts that the team needs smarter messaging and tactical adjustments without abandoning its underlying principles. England’s batting core is expected to remain, but major selection changes are likely among the wicketkeepers and bowlers, with Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes and James Anderson facing uncertain futures. Easier summer series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka may temporarily ease pressure, but England must evolve before facing India and Australia again.

Mumbai’s maidans—especially Cross, Oval and Azad Maidan—are crowded public cricket grounds where players from wealthy and poor backgrounds compete alongside one another. They provide one of the city’s few remaining green spaces and an accessible route into elite cricket, while also reflecting Mumbai’s inequalities: Azad Maidan is associated with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s rise from homelessness, sits beside the exclusive Bombay Gymkhana, and remains a site of political protest. The grounds have produced or showcased major Indian talents, but the intense focus on cricket can come at the expense of schooling, with aspiring players seeking attention through huge performances in school competitions. More than a symbol of India’s supposedly religious devotion to cricket, the maidans represent Mumbai’s distinctive sporting culture, social mixing and limited public space.

Shoaib Bashir’s breakthrough performances on England’s tour of India have created a genuine selection dilemma for England’s spin department. Bashir and Tom Hartley, both unconventional county-level selections, have become England’s leading wicket-takers on the tour, while Jack Leach has missed most of the team’s recent matches through injury. Bashir’s control, ability to attack and defend, and four-wicket spell in Ranchi suggest he may be a more like-for-like replacement for Leach than Hartley. England have not formally changed the pecking order, but Bashir’s performances and Brendon McCullum’s call for counties to give both bowlers more opportunities indicate that their international futures are likely to extend well beyond the India tour.

Ben Stokes has renewed his call to abolish cricket’s “umpire’s call” provision in the Decision Review System after disputed LBW decisions during England’s Test series in India. The argument is challenged on the grounds that Hawk-Eye’s underlying calculations were correct even when the on-screen projection for Zak Crawley’s dismissal was presented incorrectly. Removing umpire’s call would produce more consistent technology-based decisions but would also reduce the role of on-field umpires and change the character of the sport. The case for reform is therefore framed as one of fairness and consistency, not as evidence that Hawk-Eye is unreliable.

Ben Stokes reaches his 100th Test appearance after overcoming personal difficulties and establishing himself as one of England’s most influential cricketers. Since becoming captain, he has led England to major victories and drawn-out successes through an aggressive, highly entertaining approach developed with coach Brendon McCullum. The article argues that Stokes’s greatest achievement is not only his tactical innovation but his ability to make players enjoy Test cricket and perform with greater freedom.

Ollie Pope’s 196 in England’s Hyderabad Test victory over India transformed perceptions of his place in the team and his suitability at number three. Returning from a serious injury and a seven-month absence, Pope overcame earlier doubts about his performance against spin with innovative, controlled batting, particularly sweeping and reverse sweeping. His innings earned exceptional praise from Rahul Dravid, Joe Root and Ben Stokes, while his confident field leadership reinforced his standing as England’s vice-captain. The performance shifted Pope from a player selected for potential to an established contributor and leader.

England captain Ben Stokes sees the Test series in India as a rare opportunity to achieve one of the few remaining feats of his career. Recovering from knee surgery and unable to bowl immediately, he will rely on his captaincy to guide an inexperienced bowling attack, with Jack Leach expected to lead the spin group. Stokes's aggressive, entertaining approach has transformed England's results under the Bazball era, but the tour will test whether that philosophy can succeed against India in home conditions.