England Will Go Hard In Rajkot - Brendon McCullum Threatens Rohit Sharma & Co.

England coach Brendon McCullum has set his sights on coming back hard at the Indian team in the third Test in Rajkot. England lost the second Test by 106 runs as the side failed to chase 399 in Vizag.

The entire England team have now moved to Abu Dhabi for a desert retreat ahead of the third Test in Rajkot. They are now on a scheduled six-day break in Abu Dhabi where their families will be joining them. It is understood most of their kit is back in India and they are just looking to stay away from the game and spend some time with their families.

Speaking to reporters, as quoted by The Guardian, Brendon McCullum gave a glimpse of their likely schedule in Abu Dhabi before they come back to India and start their preparations for the third Test.

“There won’t be a whole lot of training,We have had plenty of training days, two Tests, and this is an opportunity to step away from the heat of the battle. I was talking to Rahul Dravid [India’s head coach] and he said all his boys are shooting home as well,” said McCullum, the England head coach, before their departure on Wednesday.

“Home for us is a little way away so we chose Abu Dhabi and we are going to enjoy the families [joining us]. Then when we get to Rajkot, we drop the shoulder and go hard” he further added.

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We Dont Really Do Theories: Brendon McCullum

He further said that the England team as a whole does not dwell back into losses and does not fall back into theories. He further said that the team will look to stay confident and remain in the present.

“We don’t really do theories. It is about making sure the guys are totally clear and present, confident and have conviction in their method,” England coach added.

Jasprit Bumrah took nine wickets in the match including a six-wicket-haul in the first innings. In the process, he went past 150 Test wickets in just 34 matches at an average of just 20.

Ravichandran Ashwin meanwhile remained stuck on 499 Test wickets after he took three for 72 in the second innings. Mukesh Kumar took Shoaib Bashir’s wicket denying Ashwin to take his 500th.

“As I said before, I don’t look at numbers. As a youngster, I did that and it made me excited. But now it’s an added baggage. As a youngster that is the first delivery I learned (yorker). Had seen the legends of the game. Waqar, Wasim and even Zaheer Khan. We’re going through a transition so I feel it’s my responsibility to help them in any way I can. Before a cricketer, I’m a fast bowling fan. If somebody’s doing well, kudos to them. I look at the situation, at the wicket and think what are my options. I should not be a one-trick pony” said Jasprit Bumrah after winning the Man of the Match award.

As per reports Bumrah might be rested for the third Test in Rajkot. There are still no updates on the return of Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. Meanwhile, KL Rahul is expected to be back in the third Test.

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