Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey
England in India 2021: Can England pull off a great win? | Do England stand a fighting chance in India?
Following England’s recent series win in Sri Lanka, I started to wonder whether they really did have a chance at winning a Test series out in India for the first time since 2012. That said, England need to address some key points before they can even think about winning a series in India, which is arguably the toughest assignment in world cricket.
Banishing the demons of a torrid 2016/17 series
On England’s last tour of India, it’s safe to say that they were demolished by the home side despite making numerous scores of 400+. After drawing the first test match in Rajkot, England left India on the back of a 4-0 series defeat, of which every victory was convincing for the home side.
During that series England’s bowlers really struggled to be effective. Moeen, being played as one of England’s frontline spinners, only picked up 10 wickets at an average of 64.90. Broad and Anderson only picked up 12 wickets between them, although the pitches during that series did hugely favour the spinners. So, the role of Jack Leach and Dom Bess will be absolutely crucial in this series.
England must not rely too heavily on Joe Root’s runs
England relied very heavily on Joe Root’s runs during the 2016 series. He averaged 49.10 and England will need a better return from their top and middle order if they’re to stand any chance this time around.
During England’s two test tour of Sri Lanka Root scored first innings scores of 228 and 186. England’s openers struggled when facing spin early in Sri Lanka. However, Dom Sibley’s innings on the final day in Galle showed some encouraging signs. His 56* saw England home to victory in the second test. Putting to bed claims that his technique isn’t good enough in sub-continent conditions.
Leaving Jonny Bairstow at home for the first two test matches has raised a few eyebrows. As has the in-form Jos Buttler only playing the first test. But that’ll likely leave Ben Foakes with a chance to take the gloves for at least one test. A player who I think should have played more test matches for England than he already has. He’s England’s best wicket keeper and showed on England’s last tour of Sri Lanka that he can bat!
Also read: An Aussie’s passionate take on why Australia lost to India
Get Virat Kohli out, early.
India’s batsmen played superbly in Australia, but Virat Kohli still holds a huge key here. Getting him out early sounds simple, right? Find a way to get Virat Kohli out early in his innings and limit the impact he has on the game. Something England struggled to do in 2016, where Virat went on to score 655 runs in the series. He averaged 109.16 and gave England’s bowlers all sorts of problems.
Virat is a master of his craft, and I don’t think there is any cricket fan in the world that doesn’t enjoy watching him bat. At home, Virat is a different animal all together. Although, I’ll whisper it quietly, he did look slightly out of form during the IPL and wasn’t his usual self out in Australia before leaving. But as the saying goes “form is temporary, class is permanent”.
The return of Archer, Burns & Stokes.
England will be buoyed by the way in which they won in Sri Lanka. Then to have players with the Calibre of Archer, Burns and Stokes coming back into the squad, the camp will be full of confidence. Ben Stokes, a genuine threat to any team with bat and ball, would walk into any test side in an instance. He strengthens the England middle order and adds another bowling option for Root to turn to. I cannot wait to see Stokes back in England whites.
Rory Burns had been a mainstay at the top of the order before he picked up an injury playing football last winter. You’d think he will slot back into opening the batting with Dom Sibley. It remains to be seen whether Archer will come straight back into the side. With the form of Broad and Anderson out in Sri Lanka they may stick with the experience duo for the first test.
My predicted England XI for the first test.
Rory Burns
Dom Sibley
Zak Crawley
Joe Root
Dan Lawrence
Ben Stokes
Jos Buttler
Dom Bess
Stuart Broad
Jimmy Anderson
Jack Leach
My Series Verdict.
This England team have an uphill battle ahead of them this winter but I do give them a fighting chance. India will be full of confidence after their performance in Australia and they welcome back their captain, Virat Kohli, back into the mix. I was really encouraged by the knock of Dom Sibley to lead England home on the final day in Galle. He’s given me the belief that he and Rory Burns can get England off to the strong start that’ll be required to take the pressure off Joe Root.
Ultimately, I think the series will be won and lost for England in two areas. Firstly it will depend on whether Dom Bess and Jack Leach can bowl consistently and aggressively enough to be challenging the Indian batsmen. I was encouraged by the way both bowled on the final day in Sri Lanka and hope they can carry that form into the first Test in Chennai. Also, England’s middle order needs to deliver this time around. They cannot afford to collapse like they have in the not-so-distant past. Ben Stokes is back and I was really impressed by the performance of Dan Lawrence out in Sri Lanka. He looks a real talent and I think that spot in the England side is between he and Ollie Pope once he is fit.
My Series Prediction – 2-1 England win.
Written by Dan Bartlett. Follow Dan on Twitter today.
