England may be favourite, but Pataudi Trophy 2021 is not beyond India's grasp

By Ayush Gupta | First Published Aug 2, 2021, 6:43 PM IST

India and England are all set to lock horns in a five-Test series for the Pataudi Trophy from Wednesday. While England is the three-time defending champion, India looks to kick start its 2021-23 ICC World Test Championship campaign on a high.

The time has come for yet another ultimate Test for Team India, as it would be up against England in a five-Test series for the Pataudi Trophy from Wednesday. While England is the record three-time defending champion, India would look to turn the tables this time around. Ever since the title was introduced in 2007, India managed to win the inaugural edition, being its only win to date.

As for this time, England is the favourite again. However, it would be futile to rule out India completely, especially after what it pulled off in Australia. Based on the same, we present the series preview as to what could be expected.

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Team composition
Considering the team, India has moved in with a considerable batting-heavy team. While it does come as a surprise, considering that it is seam bowling that is the most effective in England, India's batsmen have struggled considerably in the past three tours. Furthermore, with India already having a power-packed bowling attack, it is wise to invest more in batting.

As for England, it has announced the squad for the first two Tests, which is heavy on its batting too. Like India, England, too, has a star-packed bowling attack, like veteran seamer James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood and spinners Dominic Bess and Jack Leach. Although it would miss the services of all-rounder Ben Stokes, who is on indefinite break due to mental health, its young guns are absolute gems who can dominate for the side in all departments.

Strengths and weaknesses
Frankly speaking, India does not have any serious weaknesses. However, its inability to judge the moving ball has been a traditional concern and we wonder if it could change this time around. As for the strength, we already said it is its bowling, with seam likely to be most effective. However, one must also watch out for Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja's lethal spins.

On the other hand, England would be looking to excel in its relatively weaker batting, the reason why it has decided to have more batting options. As for its strength, its deadly seam bowling is a no-brainer.

ALSO READ: Pataudi Trophy 2021: Ben Stokes takes an indefinite break from cricket

Players to watch out for
Virat Kohli: The Indian skipper continues to remain the best batsman in the world. However, he has not really been the best in England. Furthermore, with no Test century in nearly 18 months, Kohli would be desperate to prove a point as he is undoubtedly that man to watch out for.

Mohammed Shami: The green tracks in England make it seamer's paradise. As for the Indian side, Shami is currently its best seamer and would be looking to give a hard time to a new look English batting order.

Joe Root: One of the four horsemen, it has been some time since we saw Root get going. About time he ups his ante and fans would love to see him get going, especially in a high magnitude series like this.

James Anderson: The veteran English seamer does not know how to age, as even at 39, he is as deadly with his seams as he was when he made his debut. This series would be no different for him, while he is also the king of swing on green pitches.

Milestones in the reckoning

Jadeja needs 15 more runs to score his 2,000th Test run and become the 41st Indian to do so.
Anderson needs a couple of catches more to claim his 100th Test catch.
Ajinkya Rahane needs four more catches to register his 100th Test catch.

Squads
India: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav.
England: Joe Root (c), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes and Mark Wood.

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