India’s long domestic season enters its second phase as they host England for 5 Tests, 3 ODI’s and 3 T20 Internationals. This will be an almost four-month tour from November to February. The two teams last met in 2014 at the home of the Three Lions, with England winning comfortably with a 3-1 margin two of which came as innings defeat.

This is the first series that will see the Decision Review System being included after the BCCI had constantly argued against its usage in recent times.

James Anderson and Moeen Ali key to England bowling

Team England is already in India and have already hit the practice sessions. They will be led by Alastair Cook and have received a big boost as their lead pacer James Anderson is expected to join the squad for the first test. Their squad looks good and balanced from all sides and it is expected that Cook and his men will pose a tough challenge for the young and vibrant Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli and his boys.

Team India would also be wary of a certain Moeen Ali in the English team who picked up 19 wickets, when the two teams met before. Spin friendly conditions in the sub-continent might even aid the off-spinner to strike some magic against the young and dynamic Indian team.

The England team have been a bit shaken, especially after their recent defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in the second and final test at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. The test ensured that Bangladesh earn a draw in the series at 1-1. The England captain Alastair Cook is aware of playing India in Indian conditions and has stated, “It will be a tough series for the visitors”. 

New look India ready for the Three Lions

As far as the Indian squad is concerned , the selectors have sprung in a surprise by selecting Hardik Pandya in the squad. The rest of the squad also bears a different look with regular players, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul sidelined from the squad after they failed to clear the fitness test. All three players are nursing injuries which will keep them out of the series. Gautam Gambhir has been given another look in by the selectors after he impressed with a half century in the second innings of the final test against New Zealand. Interestingly, Gambhir was dropped from the Indian squad right after the tour of England. The Delhi lad gets his much awaited shot at redemption, now.

This is a big test for Virat Kohli and his boys to host the mighty England side. The series win will also make sure India retain its top spot in the ICC rankings at the end of the year. England are however, ranked fourth in the world but not to forget, they are the only team to beat India in India in the last decade.

Playing India in India is always tough, and the new look team under the charismatic leadership of Virat Kohli is boosted by wins over New Zealand and West Indies in the run-up to the England tour.

Key Battles

Alastair Cook vs Virat Kohli

Two fantastic captains of their respective era, two even better batsmen in this era have a big task ahead of a very crucial series for both teams. Virat Kohli and Indian team will look for redemption of their loss to England, while Cook will aim to make one better on this tour. The battle of the two captains does not limit to their captaincy alone but their overall performance on and off the field.

Cook has a pretty decent record against India and he will hope to continue improving it, while Kohli on the other hand has much to improve on his. 

Indian spin vs England batsmen

Spin has been England’s undoing in the past when they have toured the sub continent. This series especially will be another tough test for the English batsmen when they face the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra.

English pace vs Indian batsmen

The Indian top order does posses some seasoned players who are in good form coming into the test series against England. The only major weapon England have at stopping the phenomenal Indian batting line-up are the seasoned pacers James Anderson and Stuart Borad, while the rest of the bowlers will hope to learn from the experienced duo.

Apart from the pace England will rely on Moeen Ali to take advantage of the turn that the Indian pitches are likely to offer.

Image Courtesy: NDTV