India will be on a high after winning the last four series, including two away from home. On the other hand, England have just suffered a first ever Test loss to Bangladesh and even the one they won wasn’t without a lot of drama. Their tour of Bangladesh can be seen in two ways. It could either dent their confidence completely or possibly prepare them for challenges lying ahead. Since the Bangladesh failure was about the skill and not the will, it’s fair to assume that they might find it tougher in India.
In happy space
Even though Kohli’s is a young side, it has started working like a well-oiled machine. Batting has started blossoming as a unit with different players assuming key roles at different times. Batting in Tests is all about battling the tough sessions and all good teams find different heroes in these difficult times. India is no different in this respect. Murali Vijay in Brisbane, Rahane in Lord’s, Pujara in Colombo, Kohli in Melbourne and Saha in Kolkata — everyone has stood up at different times and that shows character.
Since this series is in India, bowling is the least of India’s concerns with Ashwin donning the role of a leader nonchalantly. On turning pitches, bowlers who bring the ball back in are more lethal because they can take both edges. Ashwin has exposed the technical frailties of modern batsmen like never before. Jadeja’s accuracy has been an ideal foil and in addition to this, the faster bowlers have also made their presence felt.
England’s batting depth
Test cricket was always a format for specialists. Most teams would play 5-6 batsmen, a proper wicketkeeper and four bowlers. Teams that did better always had a batsman in the top six who could bowl 15-20 overs a day and their wicketkeeper almost always contributed with the bat.
This England side is different, for they bat as deep as No 9 without compromising on bowling prowess. The likes of Woakes, Mooen Ali, Stokes, Bairstow and even Rashid can pull their weight in the side with the bat. It practically means England don’t have a tail. To counter this, it won’t be a bad idea for India to offer pitches with some turn from the first day itself and also, consider playing an extra spinner in Mishra.
Spin to win
While England have an enviable batting line-up, it’s unlikely to have a telling impact on the series. Test matches are won by teams with the bowling to take 20 wickets on a regular basis and that’s where India’s attack scores over the visitors. Indian batsmen are likely to play spin better than the English, but even if that’s not the case, bowlers are likely to tilt the contest in India’s favour every single time.
Bowling on turning pitches is an art that needs mastering. While there’s a lot of help available, the margin for error is equally small, for the extra spin provides scoring opportunities if the bowler errs in line and length. Rashid, Moeen and Batty are decent spinners, but it would be criminal to consider them in the same league of Ashwin, Jadeja and Mishra.
Injury concerns?
If it were an overseas tour, the absence of Rohit, Rahul, Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar would’ve troubled India. Since it’s a home series, the loss isn’t as damaging. While Rahul’s presence at the top and Rohit lower down the order would’ve given solidity and depth to the batting, there’s no reason for alarm bells to start running just yet. Gambhir is in fine nick and Karun Nair could be tested at No 6 if India choose a sixth batsman. It can also be viewed as an opportunity to toy with a slightly different combination. With Saha and Ashwin doing a stellar job with the bat, India could very well play all three spinners. As long as the spin-trio is fit, Kohli will not have sleepless nights over injury concerns.
Threat perception
With Cook & Co arriving in Indian shores for a five-Test series that starts in Rajkot on Wednesday, Express takes a look at five reasons why the visitors will lose the rubber
Loss vs Bangladesh
England are coming off a harrowing Test series in Bangladesh. They won the first narrowly and lost the second by 108 runs. The series was played on raging turners, where England’s Adil Rashid and Gareth Batty looked ordinary. The batting didn’t prosper, with key players Joe Root and Alastair Cook failing. All-rounder Ben Stokes and wicketkeeper-batsmen Jonny Bairstow among positives.
Ashwin factor
Mehedi Hasan Miraz perhaps struck a few psychological blows on England. The Bangladesh offie had played just 12 first-class games before the series. In India, England have to contend with R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. The former has enjoyed extraordinary success over the last few months, and in his previous outing against New Zealand, dismissed Kane Williamson on all four occasions he batted.
Anderson doubts
Anderson is expected to be fit for the second Test, but delays in his comeback could cost England dearly. With 463 wickets to his name, Anderson is irreplaceable. The veteran’s absence will also put his longtime new-ball partner Stuart Broad under pressure. Among other pacers, Steve Finn failed in Bangladesh while Chris Woakes offers some promise, with his swing.
India’s batting
Unlike in ODIs, where they have struggling to find the right batting order, India’s Test line-up is settled. In Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara, there is a quality core. Skipper Kohli, in particular, has been prolific of late in all formats. He is sure to give England bowlers sleepless nights. There’s enough quality in others as well.
Inexperienced spinners
There isn’t much experience in the spin department, with all-rounder Moeen Ali being the only one to enjoy a decent series in Bangladesh (92 runs and 11 scalps). Adil Rashid, Garreth Batty and Zafar Ansari have a combined experience of 14 Tests. It has to be seen whether they can make an impact on the Indians.