Chennai: Fans are thrilled with the India-England test run and now the wait is about to end. The first test between the top two teams will take place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on February 5. The Indian team and England will hit the ground with a winning goal in the first test of the four-game test series and tough competition will be seen between the two teams.
It is very ‘stupid’ to underestimate England
India will debut as winning contenders in Chennai as the Chennai wicket goes well for the spinners. On their last visit to India in 2016, England lost 0-4 in the five-game series.
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But Team India cannot make the mistake of underestimating the English team. India, however, faces England who are the only team to have won the Test Series (2012) in India in the past 15 years. Apart from that, the visiting team recently beat Sri Lanka 2-0 at their home which boosted their confidence. At the same time, there are many players who can create great difficulties for the Indian team.
With these bowlers, Team India is in danger of reverse swing
Bowlers like James Anderson and Stuart Broad are ready to test Rohit Sharma’s patience and Shubman Gill’s technique. Joffra Archer (Ben Strokes) will try to antagonize the Indian batsmen with his short balls and if the old ball takes an inverted swing, Ben Stokes would like to take advantage.
These Indian bowlers may stand a chance
Ishant Sharma played his last test match almost a year ago. He hasn’t played a red ball for a long time due to injury and a Kovid-19. But Mohammed Siraj’s spectacular performance in Australia cannot be forgotten. In such a situation, it will not be easy to decide who to choose between Ishant and Siraj.
India can go down with three spinners and Akshar Patel can have a chance to play his first test match. One of Washington Sundar and Patel, who made his Brisbane Test debut, is likely to be picked in the game’s XI.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s selection is certain, while Kohli would prefer to have Kuldeep Yadav as his wrist spinner.
Team India’s “ big ” record at Chepak
Chennai, known as Chepak, have an excellent record as host India against England on the pitch at MA Chidambaram Stadium.
India and England have so far contested nine tests on the pitch, of which host India has won five, while England have won three in turn. At the same time, the match played in 1982 between the two teams was a draw.
India last played against England here in 2016, when they recorded an impressive win by one set and 75 points.
Team India has a ‘golden’ opportunity
Host India are set to win at least two test matches in this series, with England advancing to the World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand in June.
However, India’s 1-0 victory in England’s next series could pave the way for Australia to advance to the final.
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If India is to advance to the final, it will now have to beat England at least 2-0 in the four test series. A 2–1, 3–0, 3–1 or 4–0 win would be safer.
If the England team win by a margin of 3–0, 3–1, 4–0, they will reach the final. If India wins by only 1–0 or if England wins by 1–0, 2–0 or 2–1, Australia will reach the final. Not only that, even if the series draw 0–0, 1–1 or 2–2, Australia will have the right to play the final against New Zealand.
The teams
India: Virat Kohli (captain), Mayank Agarwal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jaspreet Bumrah, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Akshar Patel, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Lokesh Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishantira Sharma, Rohitjira Sharma, Mohammad Sira Sharma, , Rohitj Sharma, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav.
England: Joe Root (captain), Moin Ali, James Anderson, Joffra Archer, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jose Butler, Jack Crowley, Ben Fox, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Ollie Stone, Chris Woakes, Ollie Pope.