The much anticipated 5 match test series between India and England will begin from 1st August 2018 at Birmingham. BCCI has announced Indian test team for the first 3 matches. Under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, they fought well in 3 match test series against South Africa before losing 1-2.
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When India last toured England in 2014, Under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, it was a disappointing series after taking winning the test match at Lords and losing the series 1-3. India was whitewashed by England during 2011 test series.
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The current Indian team has a good balance with top quality batsmen and bowlers who will be crucial against England in the upcoming 5 match test series.
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Here we look at the 9 Indian players crucial in the test series against England:
1. Murali Vijay
Murali Vijay known for his solid defensive technique and making the new ball old will be important for India during the upcoming test series against England. When India toured England in a 5 match test series, Vijay played some brilliant knocks while opening the innings. He scored 402 runs from 5 matches.
Despite his efforts, India lost the test series 1-3. In the test series against South Africa, he could not contribute many runs for India. Before coming to England, Vijay scored a century against Afghanistan. If Vijay could provide a solid start for the Indian team, then the visitors could post a big total.
2. Virat Kohli
The Indian test captain Virat Kohli would be looking to change his fortune in upcoming 5 match test series. He scored 134 runs from 5 test matches during the 2014 test tour of England. His form in the limited overs version in 6 matches on the current tour has been decent.
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Virat Kohli’s form in the upcoming test series would be important to India’s cause. In the 3 match test series against South Africa, Kohli was the leading run-getter but could help his side win test series. Coming at number 4, the Indian captain needs to score big runs and provide a solid foundation for a big total.
3. Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara one of the solid batsmen in the current Indian test team will be confident to perform in English conditions. Playing county cricket would help him to contribute valuable runs while coming at number 3.
He has played a total of 58 test matches and scored 4531 runs with an average of 50.34. Pujara has performed exceptionally well in Indian conditions. His performance in test series against England during 2014 test series was not great. He scored 222 runs from 5 matches with the best score of 55.
During the 3 match test series against South Africa this year, Pujara got starts but was not able to convert it into big scores.
If Pujara plays in the playing XI, then the right-handed batsman must contribute against top quality bowlers like James Anderson and Stuart Broad to help team India post a big total.
4. Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane is one of the proven middle order batsmen for India in overseas conditions. During the 2014 test tour of England, Rahane scored a brilliant century on a green pitch at Lords and helped team India to post a decent total. The Indian cricket team won that match.
He played 5 matches on England soil, scoring 299 runs with the best score of 103, with 1 century and 2 half centuries. During the 3 match test series against South Africa this year, Rahane was dropped from the first two test matches and his services was missed badly by the Indian on tough conditions. He was included in the 3rd test at Johannesburg and played two quality knocks which helped team India win the test match.
Rahane would be an important part in the test series against England. Coming at number 5 and the ability to play with the tail Enders should be utilized by Indian management. He is not in the best of forms at the present moment.
5. Ishant Sharma
The tall right arm fast bowler Ishant Sharma will be leading the pace attack without Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the first 3 test matches and Jasprit Bumrah. He has played county cricket this season and improved a lot with the style of bowling.
He picked 7/74 in the 2nd innings of Lord”s test match during India’s famous win. His performance in the test series was decent enough picking 14 wickets from 5 matches. During 2011 whitewash against England, he picked wickets but did not give enough support.
Ishant Sharma has played a total of 82 test matches and taken 238 wickets so far. He would play a critical role in helping team India picking early wickets, also troubling the England batsmen with his speed and accuracy. He bowled well in one-off Afghanistan test match and needs to continue brilliant form for team India if they are to win the series.
6. Ravichandran Ashwin
India’s ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will play a key role in their chances during the 5 match test series against England. Last year, Ashwin played few County matches in England which will help in getting used to the conditions. He has played a total of 58 test matches and taken so far 316 wickets. With the bat, he has scored 2163 runs with the best score of 124.
Before coming to England, he gained confidence by picking wickets against Afghanistan. Apart from being a good bowler, R Ashwin is a decent lower order batsman who can provide vital runs. If the pitch helps the spinners, then he would be a handful and create havoc among England team.
His performances in 2014 series against England, he played only 2 test matches. During the 3 match test series against South Africa, he played only 1 test match and picked 5 wickets. He could not find a place in the playing XI during 1st and 3rd test match.
Kuldeep Yadav was included in the 5 match test series against England after brilliant performances in T20I and ODI series. His ability to deceive the opposition batsmen makes him a tough bowler to face. He has played only 2 test matches and picked a total of 9 test matches.
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If he is picked in the playing XI, Yadav would be a major threat for the England side who struggled against England in India’s win during ODI and T20I series. He would be a key factor for the Indian side and if the conditions help spinners, his variations would create major problems.
8. Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami is another impressive fast bowler that India has in the current test team. He impressed one and all during the 3 match test series against South Africa this year picking up 15 wickets from 3 matches.
He has played a total of 30 test matches so far and taken 110 wickets. His ability to trouble the batsmen with good pace and accuracy would make him a dangerous bowler in upcoming test series against England.
During the last tour of England, he played 3 matches and picked 5 wickets. He did not play in the one-off test match against Afghanistan. At the present moment, he is struggling with personal problems. If selected in the playing XI, Mohammed Shami needs to help the other fast bowlers and trouble the England batsmen with his speed and accuracy.
9. Umesh Yadav
Umesh Yadav is another talented Indian fast bowler. He played 1 ODI match during 2014 series against England. In the 37 test matches so far, he has taken 103 wickets. His ability to bowl pace and speed makes him a dangerous bowler.
He did not perform according to expectations in the ODI and T20I series against England. If the pitch is helpful for the fast bowlers, he could be included as the 3rd pace bowler. In the home season during 2016/17 which included test matches against New Zealand, England, Bangladesh and Australia, he bowled with pace and troubled the opposition batsmen.