With just four days to go, here is The Statesman’s take on why India will win the Test series.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli (Photo: AFP)
Indian cricket team under the leadership of Virat Kohli is being dubbed by many as favourites for winning the upcoming five-match Test series against England. The series will start on 1 August and the opening game will be played at the Edgbaston, Birmingham.
India cricket team’s record in the longest format of the game against England has not been good in the recent years. The Indian side have lost both their previous Test series against England in the year 2011 and 2014. While in 2011, Indian side was whitewashed, they were thrashed 3-1 in 2014 under MS Dhoni’s captaincy.
On 1 August, when Virat Kohli’s side will take on Joe Root-led England cricket team, they will aim to better the stats.
Advertisement
India vs England Test series is going to be interesting and way more competitive than the previous series’ between both the nation.
With just four days to go, here is The Statesman’s take on why India will win the Test series:
Virat Kohli-led Indian side is high on confidence as there is a sense of optimism in the Indian camp that the visitors can script history by winning the Test series.
Though India lost the three-match Test series against South Africa in the rainbow nation by 2-1, going by the way Virat Kohli’s side fought back, it should be difficult for the confident Indian side to breach the English castle.
In South Africa, Indian bowlers were exceptional as they bagged 60 wickets in three games. Virat Kohli’s side will aim to get confidence from the final Test that they won in the rainbow nation.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli and his hunger for scoring runs is insatiable. And if his form in 2018 South Africa series or in the last two years is any indication, then cricket fans across the globe are in for a treat.
Though Virat Kohli was not so good in India’s last tour to England back in 2014 as he couldn’t core more than 40 runs in an innings. Virat played five Test matches in 2014 and scored 134 runs at an average of 13.4.
There is a famous saying, “I am not the same person, I was yesterday let alone a month ago”. So, if England team will judge Virat Kohli on the basis of his previous tour, then they are making a mistake. Since India’s 2014 England tour, Virat has amassed 3,200 runs in 55 innings at an average of 61. Virat has also scored six double centuries in the last two years.
Eoin Morgan’s One Day International (ODI) team might be number one, but when it comes to the longest format of the game, the English side has not played any quality Test series lately.
In ICC Test ranking, England is placed at the fifth spot while their opponents India are the table toppers. In the recently concluded three-Test series, England have struggled against Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan. England’s lack of quality in Test cricket will boost up the morale of visitors.
In the ICC Test ranking, only English skipper Joe Root (3rd) have managed to enter in the top ten batsmen’s ranking.
There was a time when India lacked in pace attack, but currently, India have eight to nine world-class fast bowlers, making the visitors side perfect Test package. Five pace bowlers were included in India’s 18-member squad for the first three matches of the five-match Test series starting August 1 — Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur.
Indian pacers did exceptionally well in South Africa and they will be determined to repeat their performance in England. However, Jasprit Bumrah’s absence will be felt in the opening Test and Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s injury can even cost India the game. But Ishant Sharma’s County experience can be handy for the Indian side.
And then there is Kuldeep Yadav factor, as chinaman spinner will have the physiological advantage over the hosts after demolishing their batting line-ups in limited overs game.
Experienced and quality batsmen are India’s biggest strength. Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay are expected to open Indian innings. Dhawan’s form is a headache for Indian team management, but he can be replaced by KL Rahul, given that Shikhar failed to perform as Rahul’s overseas records bat for him to be included in visitors playing XI.
Mr dependable Ajinkya Rahane, skipper Virat Kohli, along with Cheteshwar Pujara give perfect balance to India’s middle order. All-rounder Hardik Pandya and wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik/Rishabh Pant will add more substance to the Indian batting.
Advertisement
