'He's unfit' - ex-England wicketkeeper settles Ben Foakes vs Jonny Bairstow debate

As England are all set to tour India for a five-match Test series, the Three Lions are currently in Abu Dhabi and will arrive in India three days before the first Test match in Hyderabad on January 25. The Ben Stokes-led side will be aiming to continue their attacking brand of cricket, which they have been playing in the red ball format for the last two years.

England were able to level the Ashes 2023 series after losing the first two games and came back strong in the series by winning two of the last three games. However, the English team had a humiliating campaign in the ODI World Cup 2023 and finished seventh on the points table.

While England will be aiming to find the right team balance and select their perfect playing XI. England would also want to pick up the perfect wicket-keeper batsman as they have picked Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow for the tour. However, former England wicket-keeper batsman Bob Taylor believes that England should pick Foakes as their wicketkeeper-batsman in the Test series in India.

Bob Taylor believed that he noticed that Jonny Bairstow was not fit in the last summer whereas Ben Foakes scored a hundred against Sri Lanka at Galle in his debut Test match. Taylor further said that Bairstow put up a lot of weight during the Ashes series against Australia which might also affect his confidence.

Bob Taylor’s million-dollar advice to Ben Stokes led England

While speaking to ‘The Telegraph’, Bob Taylor said, “I was there watching at Galle when Ben Foakes scored a hundred on debut. I would have persevered with him but then the next thing you know, he’s been dropped. The one thing I did notice last summer was that Jonny Bairstow was not fit.”

“He had a bad injury and came back and had put a bit of weight on and that can affect your concentration. I would go with Ben in India where you keep all day in heat and humidity.”

Jonny Bairstow showcased a flop batting display during the last Indian tour in the year 2021. Ben Foakes also got a chance on the last India tour and was brilliant behind the wickets. If Ben Foakes is picked for the first Test, he might prove to be very efficient for his team.

England are the only side to beat India in India in a Test series in the last 12 years. However, England lost the last two Test series against India in India by margins of 4-0 and 3-1.

On the other hand, India are one of the top teams in the present era of international cricket and are nearly unbeatable in the present time. India showcased a brilliant performance on the South African tour and were able to level the two-match series by 1-1.

India have also played in the two finals of the World Test Championship, however, they are yet to win a title. The IND vs ENG series is very important for the present cycle of the WTC and both teams will be willing to win the series and add necessary points to the table.