Three Indian Batsmen to watch out for in England vs India Test series

After a successful white-ball campaign against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, England will lock horns with India in a five-match Test series, starting from 4^th August at Trent Bridge. Both the teams come into the series with contrasting fortunes. England suffered a clean sweep at the hands of New Zealand in a home Test series played in May.

There is no doubt that England have a superior head-to-head record against India in English conditions. Since 2011, England have won 11 matches out of 14 played against India.

The five-match Test series over the course of 45 days will be an mouthwatering battle between both teams looking to start their campaign on a positive note. Here we take a look at the three Indian batsmen to watch out for England vs India Test Series.

Virat Kohli

First up in the list is the best batsman for India in the five-day format- Virat Kohli. After having a quiet home series against England this winter, Captain Virat Kohli will be keen to get back to his best with the bat.

Since Jan 2020, Virat Kohli has struggled to reach three figures in the five-day format. In 8 Test matches, Kohli has scored 345 runs at an average of 24.64 with three half-centuries to his name.

However, Virat Kohli will take heart from the fact that in India’s previous tour to England in 2018, he was nothing short of sensational and accumulated 593 runs at an average of 59.30 with the help of two centuries and three half-centuries.

With England being named as final frontier for India’s dominant Test side, Virat Kohli will be determined to get back to form in this five-match series.

Cheteshwar Pujara

The next in the list is India’s vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, who has been a consistent performer for the side in Test cricket. The 33-year old has represented his country in 74 Tests, where he has scored 4,647 runs at an average of 41.12 with the help of twelve centuries and twenty-three half-centuries.

In the Test matches played in England, Rahane has not been that successful and will be looking to make amends in this year’s Pataudi Trophy. In ten Tests, Rahane has accumulated 556 runs at an average of 29.26 with one century and four half-centuries to his name.

As the one of the most experienced players in the batting department, the pressure will be on Ajinkya Rahane to consistently produce notable scores for India in this five-match Test series.

Rohit Sharma

Third in the list features Rohit Sharma, who has been star of the show with the bat for India so far this year.

The 33-year-old was sensational with the bat in the home series against England played earlier this year.

Sharma will be looking to make amends for his poor record in overseas conditions. In 21 Tests played for India, Rohit Sharma has scored 1,009 runs at an average of 27.27 which includes six half-centuries to his name.

With Rohit Sharma in splendid form, the team management will be hoping that he can get the side off to a positive start.

It  will be interesting to see how Indian batsmen fare this time around in England.