When Cook and Co. did the unthinkable - England in India 2012-13

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In this episode, we look back to England's tour to India in 2012-13.

England had not won a series in India since 1984-85 and they began the tour as underdogs - especially after a heavy defeat in the first Test in Ahmedabad. The turnaround began in Mumbai – thanks to some splendid spin bowling followed by hundreds from Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen – and England went on to defy expectations in the final two Tests.

Talking Points:

• England's tours to UAE and Sri Lanka before the India series


• Kevin Pietersen's "reintegration" into the side


• Monty Panesar not playing in the first Test in Ahmedabad


• Sehwag's hundred, Pujara's double-hundred


• The Cook-Prior rearguard in the second innings


• Panesar's ball to Tendulkar on day one in Mumbai


• Pujara's masterful innings against spin


• Pietersen brutal hitting and the shock in the stands


• Tendulkar's innings on day one in Kolkata


• James Anderson's spell of reverse-swing


• The Cook marathon – with support from Trott


• Jonathan Trott's lesson in patience


• The slow Nagpur pitch


• The consequences of the defeat for India – and the end of many journeys
  
  

Participants:

Karthik Krishnaswamy (@the_kk)

Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee)

Ashoka (@ABVan)

Mahesh Sethuraman (@cornerd)

Related:

The Wisden Almanack report for the series - ESPNcricinfo

The balls of the century - Monty Panesar to Sachin Tendulkar - Karthik Krishnaswamy - ESPNcricinfo

First step to redemption, India go 1-0 up - Karthik Krishnaswamy - Indian Express

Cheteshwar Pujara: the worker ant - Siddhartha Vaidyanathan

Dhoni's pitch flawed - Karthik Krishnaswamy - ESPNcricinfo

Patient Tendulkar middles it this time - Karthik Krishnaswamy - Indian Express

Quick wickets but no miracle this time - Karthik Krishnaswamy - Indian Express

Post lunch, humble pie - Karthik Krishnaswamy - Indian Express

Pads on, DRS isn't watching - Karthik Krishnaswamy - Indian Express

Zaheer Khan. Left arm... over? - Karthik Krishnaswamy - Indian Express

Be bold, be practical, do the right thing - Siddhartha Vaidyanathan