A Quiet Accumulator

Alastair Cook was always destined for greatness. On his debut in Nagpur (2006), the then 21-year-old showcased his PRECOCIOUS ABILITIES with a sublime maiden performance (60 and 104), demonstrating he could succeed on the harshest terrain. The upcoming series in India could propel Cook’s standing to another level.

- Tristan Lavalette

For visiting cricketers, theharsh terrain of India canbe unforgiving. The spinning dust bowls often strangle and tangle those not used to the subcontinent’s arduous elements. The sweltering conditions and swirling, rabid fanfare compound the difficulty.

Australian cricketers know this all too well. Despite a rich cricket history and almost always being highly competitive, Australia have won just one Test series in India during the past 40 years. Legends such as Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting (who missed the bulk of Australia’s breakthrough 2004 tour due to injury) never achieved the ultimate success in India. The legacies of those who were part of the infamous 2013 tour are still being muddied to this day.

In years gone by, those who conquered Australia were lauded and reserved a special place in cricket annals. These days, it feels like India has taken over that mantle.

THUS, THE UPCOMING TOUR of India could be a defining stretch in the legacy of England captain Alastair Cook. Unlike so many overseas cricketers — there are many more names to add to the list headed by Waugh and Ponting — Cook has enjoyed some of his finest moments of a storied career in India.