The most awaited series between India and England is all set to kick off on 5th February in a 4 match Test series. The series would begin at Chennai before moving to Ahmedabad for the final two Tests of the series. Both sides will be entering the series after series wins in Sri Lanka and Australia which is why both teams will be high on confidence going into the series.
India‘s skipper Virat Kohli would return to the Test side taking over from Ajinkya Rahane who led the Indian side to a 2-1 Test series win in Australia whereas Joe Root would walk into the series after whitewashing Sri Lanka in their own backyard. With the series expected to be an exciting affair, let’s take a look at the 5 players we should watch out for during the Test series.
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Let’s Take A Look At The 5 Players To Watch Out For During The Test Series:
1. Rishabh Pant
It would be unfair on Rishabh Pant if you don’t include him in the 5 players to watch out for list after his stunning heroics at the Gabba. Pant failed to play the 1st Test at Adelaide went on to become India’s highest run-scorer with 274 runs at an average of 68.50 which includes 2 fifties, one of which came during India’s miraculous draw at the Sydney Cricket Ground where Pant played an attacking knock of 97 runs before getting dismissed by Nathan Lyon.
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The last time Rishabh Pant played against England in England he struck a century in the most adverse conditions. Though Pant has mainly played all of his Tests overseas as out of the 18 Tests he’s represented India, Pant has managed to play just 2 Tests in India which is why it will exciting to watch how the young boy from Delhi fares against a side that has just whitewashed Sri Lanka in their backyard.
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2. Joe Root
England’s Test Skipper Joe Root looked in phenomenal form during the series against Sri Lanka in their own backyard as he finished as the highest run-getter of the series with 426 runs in 2 Tests which also included a stellar double century knock which came at the Galle Stadium during the first Test.
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Analyzing Joe Root’s record in India, the right-hander has one of the best records for an English batsman in India as in the 16 Tests he’s played in India, Root averages 56.84 with 4 centuries and 9 fifties in his backpack. Records do separate Root from the rest of the English batsman in the side though it will still be challenging given that the Indian side has just returned after securing one of the greatest Test series wins in Australia.
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3. Mohammed Siraj
From not playing the First Test at Adelaide to becoming the leader of the Indian bowling in the 4th Test, Mohammed Siraj did live a dream in Australia. If there was one Indian bowler apart from Jasprit Bumrah who earned praise during the Australian tour, it just had to be Mohammed Siraj.
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The fast bowler from Hyderabad picked up 13 wickets in just 3 Test matches in his debut series for Team India as he finished as India’s highest wicket-taker in the series. With the England tour approaching, all eyes will be on Mohammed Siraj after an impressive Australian tour.
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4. Moeen Ali
COVID struck the spin-bowling all-rounder from England on his arrival in Sri Lanka which resulted in him missing both the Tests Against Sri Lanka. Though at the completion of the first Test Moeen Ali had recovered from the Coronavirus disease, he was rested for the 2nd Test since Ali was in quarantine ever since he arrived in the island nation.
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With Dom Bess not looking at his absolute best during the series against Sri Lanka, it will be Moeen Ali and Jack Leach who would start as the frontline spinners in India. Since the first two Tests are being played in Chennai, Moeen Ali’s off-breaks would be highly effective on the pitch offered at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium.
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5. Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill has perhaps been the find of the Australia tour after back to back promising knocks at Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. Gill was drafted into the playing XI for the 2nd Test after a disappointing performance by Prithvi Shaw in the 1st Test.
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Gill scored 259 runs in 6 innings at an average of 60.6 including 2 fifties, his most notable knock being the 91 run knock in the 4th Innings of the 4th Test when India created history after defeating Australia at the Gabba after 33 years. Now with Gill all set to retained as the opening batsman for the England series, it will be exciting to watch Shubman Gill in India since he averages 72.36 in 26 First-Class matches for Punjab.
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