You sense something special is imminent for India, but we’ve been down this road before. They are ranked No.1 for Tests but a frustrating inability to consistently win overseas ensures some critics scoff at their lofty standing.
During a pivotal upcoming period, India can stamp themselves as clearly the best team in the world with breakthrough series victories in England and Australia. Long criticised for having a soft underbelly in foreign conditions, India have won just three series in the UK and embarrassingly lost seven of nine Tests in 2011 and 2014.
Even worse, they have never won a Test series Down Under but a golden opportunity awaits with Australia still reeling after the ball-tampering scandal and without the suspended trio Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
India should feel like they can overcome their hoodoos in succession and on sheer talent deserve the favouritism tag against a fragile England and weakened Australia. However, undoubtedly, it is hard to ignore the ghosts of past failures which continue to haunt the Indian team.
India’s powerful batting has continually struggled on the seaming decks in England and the bouncy Australian pitches, but their current line-up looks settled and well-rounded. Ominously, a determined Virat Kohli is primed to make amends for a horrid 2014 tour here – a career nadir for the master batsman – and the anticipation is that he will dominate the series even though he must overcome the nemesis that is James Anderson.
As always, India boasts dangerous spinners in veterans Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, along with left-arm wrist sensation Kuldeep Yadav – and turn could come into play due to the warmer weather in the UK.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 27, 2018-Ausgabe von The Cricket Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 27, 2018-Ausgabe von The Cricket Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.