India vs England 2021: Reasons why India are overwhelming favourites to clinch the Test series against England
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The four-match Test series between India and England begins on the 5th of February with the first match in Chennai. The second Test will also be at the same venue while the third (a day/night Test) and fourth matches will be held in Ahmedabad. India will without a doubt come into this series as overwhelming favourites due to their home advantage and the rich vein of form they are in.
England on the other hand, are in great form as well, having just whitewashed Sri Lanka away from home. Their skipper Joe Root is in the form of his life and dealing with spinners nonchalantly. This series would also be the perfect opportunity to prove his captaincy credentials. If Root and England do manage to pull off a win or two in this series, it would be viewed as a reasonably successful series for them.
A spot in the World Test Championship final is also at stake with destiny in India and England’s own hands. An Indian series win with any scoreline other than 1-0 will mean they qualify for the final while England will need to win at least three Tests to qualify. If none of the aforesaid happens, Australia will meet their trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in the final of the championship at the Lord’s Cricket Ground.
We take a look at a few reasons as to why India are overwhelming favorites to win the series against England.
India’s win against Australia and the terrific run of form
India’s series win against Australia was well and truly unprecedented. Yes, it was the same result as in 2018-19, but Australia didn’t have a full-strength team back then. Further, something like the Adelaide debacle did not happen. Skipper Virat Kohli did not leave halfway through on paternity leave. India were not faced with innumerable players missing out due to injuries. The gravity was just not this high.
A facile win in Melbourne fashioned by stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane was hailed as one of India’s greatest Test victories. The third Test where a rearguard by Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin saved India was lauded as one of the side’s greatest Test draws. It was then that the legendary breaching of the Gabbatoir arrived to well and truly leave fans bereft of words. It was possibly THE greatest Test win for India.
India are hence, in a great place at the moment and are bound to be full of confidence. If a second-string side consisting of net bowlers making their debuts can do it at the fortress of Gabba, a full-strength side can surely do it in India and against England at that.
Return of big names to the line-up
In the fourth Test against Australia at the Gabba, India did not have Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hanuma Vihari, KL Rahul and Umesh Yadav. A huge chunk of the aforesaid names have now returned to the squad to bolster what looks like an already-invincible line-up at home.
The former three will especially be key for India. Once Virat Kohli gets going, there will be no stopping him. Ravi Ashwin is a master of spin-bowling and when you give him a turning pitch at his own home ground, wickets ensue. Jasprit Bumrah will be playing his first home series for India but it is almost certain that he would definitely not look out of place in the team having spearheaded the attack away from home on a plethora of occasions. Veteran Ishant Sharma’s return would also provide stability to the bowling line-up.
Advantage of playing at home
India have never lost a Test series at home since 2012 (when England beat them) and in that period, they’ve lost just 3 Tests and have notched up huge victories against every opponent that has come their way. Add to that the venue of Chennai for the first two Tests which is quite frankly, a paradise for spinners and there is no reason as to why India would not steamroll England.
India have got the perfect players to exploit the conditions in Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar (his home ground as well) and Axar Patel. England on the other hand would have to rely on Dom Bess, Jack Leach and Moeen Ali who while being very good spinners aren’t quite used to conditions in India and hence, the conditions would need some getting used to, for them. Also, India’s batters are more than well-equipped players against spin on turning conditions while the same can’t be said for a majority of the English batsmen.
England’s lack of experience
While England have seasoned campaigners in Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, James Anderson and Stuart Broad, the rest of the players can’t be said to be particularly experienced ones. The English side is in a period of transition at the moment with plenty of youngsters coming into the line-up and showcasing their skills at the highest level with the hopes of getting a longer rope.
This lack of experience and in turning conditions at that could prove to be the downfall for the England batters who might find the likes of Ashwin to be a handful. There was evidence of the same in the series against Sri Lanka were Lasith Embuldeniya ran through the English batters (with the exception of Root) in each and every innings.
A lot would hinge on Joe Root without a doubt. He holds the key for England and a bad series for him would in all probability result in a series loss for England. The rest of the seasoned campaigners should also have good outings in order for England to pose a challenge to the mighty Indians. A fascinating series of highs, lows and drama awaits!
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Nevin Clinton
(2399 Articles Published)