RAJKOT HOSTS FIRST OF FIVE-TEST SERIES
It may feel like a case of out of the frying pan, into the fire for England.
From the humid climes of Chittagong and Dhaka, England now find themselves faced with the sweltering prospects of Rajkot, Vishakapatnam, Mohali, Mumbai and Chennai.
After escaping (not unscathed) the wily spin of Mehedi Hasan, England’s next keen tormentors will be the double threat of Ravi Ashwin and Ravi Jadeja. Furthermore, revenge will be on India’s minds after England’s vastly impressive showing in 2012 and a 3-1 away-series defeat in 2014.
After being held to a draw by Bangladesh, not many are giving England a hope. Just like ten pints of amber nectar in a session can reduce a man to a tottering, former shadow of himself. Ten wickets tumbling in a session may have a similar effect on a cricket team. It would be remiss however to dismiss a very good Bangladesh side on home turf.
Rather than a disaster, one could look at England’s brief tour of Bangladesh as the perfect preparation. If Cook and co waltzed into Chittagong and Dhaka and rolled over Bangladesh by an innings in both Tests, perhaps England would not have learned anything about themselves. As it was, Bangladesh have exposed England’s foibles, changes have been made, and hopefully for the better.
There’s a worry that if India start strong, the series could turn ugly fast. Back in 2012 however, England were leathered in the opener at Ahmedabad before striking back emphatically at Mumbai and Kolkata. With changes to the order England may well need time to bed in, it is however, time they don’t have.
Three to watch
Stuart Broad
Broad is in line to receive his 100th Test cap on Wednesday - the 14th England player to do so - he will move alongisde Andrew Strauss and Graham Thorpe on a ton. In Jimmy Anderson’s absence England will need their most senior man with the ball to be on the money.
Anderson has had Kohli on toast in the past, removing the master batsman five times in Tests, to date Kohli averages 20.12 against England in Test cricket. If England can expose those past frailties, suddenly India may not seem so daunting.
Kohli is a wonderful batsman, it goes with out saying, arguably the best in the world across all formats, but he is not indestructible. Against New Zealand he showed the world he was human averaging just 20.25 in first two Tests. This was however, before illustrating his stratospheric capabilities with an unbeaten 211 in the third and final Test at Indore.
Inevitably the bowling focus is on spin, but England will need their seamers. It’s about time Broad had another one of those spells.
Ajinkya Rahane
While Kohli was powering his way to 211, it was Rahane at the other end stroking 188 in a 365-run stand for the fourth wicket.
The right-hander scored 347 runs at 69.40 against New Zealand and is averaging 84.28 in 2016.
Rahane is currently fifth in the ICC player rankings, 11 places higher than his captain. Coming in at No.5 Rahane could punish England if top-order runs have already taken the pressure off.
Ravindra Jadeja
In the same fashion that Stuart Broad has long been in the considerable shadow of Jimmy Anderson, Jadeja is often left to play second fiddle to Ravi Ashwin, somewhat understandably, but his talents will not go unnoticed.
It is the perfect bad cop, worse cop partnership; one breaks your mental resolve while the other gently works over your knuckles with a claw hammer.
Jadeja’s record in Asia is impressive with 64 wickets at 17.53 – Ashwin’s reads 179 wickets at 20.06. England’s batsman will have to play India’s leading spinners better than they managed against Mehedi and Shakib al Hasan if England are to survive the winter.
Teams
All eyes will be on Haseeb Hameed as he becomes England’s youngest ever player to debut as opener. The 19-year-old will be sandwiched by England’s two best batsmen in Cook and Joe Root. Further down the order at four, can Ben Duckett add some steel to England’s soft underbelly?
England (possible): 1. Cook* 2. Hameed 3. Root 4. Duckett 5. Bairstow+ 6. Stokes 7. Moeen 8. Woakes 9. Rashid 10. Broad 11. Batty
India are without Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul through injury meaning the hosts will have to shuffle the pack with Gautum Gambhir likely to continue alongside Murali Vijay.
India (possible): 1. Vijay 2. Gambhir 3. Pujara 4. Kohli* 5. Rahane 6. Pandya 7. Ashwin 8. Saha+ 9. Jadeja 10. Shami 11. Yadav
Pitch and conditions
We are to expect spin, how early on remains to be seen. Jonathan Agnew's snap (below) from Monday shows a tinge of green grass on the track. That verdant offering could well be on the way out by tomorrow morning however.
India have won eight straight tosses at home, if that trend continues England will be on the back foot before a ball has been spun...
Weather
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/1258847
Where to follow
Watch: Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports Mix, coverage starts 3:30am, play begins 04.00am.
Listen: Listen live to Test Match Special on BBC Five Live Sports Extra.
Odds
England are 9/2 to cause an upset in the first Test - and you can join bet365 for the best odds via this link – get a 100% bonus on your first deposit!