You don't need to be a
psychologist to read whats in the minds of both India and England before the
start of what is undoubtedly one of the most eagerly anticipated India vs
England series in quite a while and i dare say one of the most eagerly
anticipated home test series for India in a long while. The last time this much
anticipation was there when these 2 countries met, England went on to win the
series 4-0 and snatch the Number 1 ranking from India. I am sure that if you
are reading this then you must surely know which 4-0 spanking I am talking
about here. If not, then I am afraid that you were probably spending your
vacation in Mars. I don't think there has ever been a series between the number
1 and number 2 sides in the world which was as one sided as India's tour to
England last year. Quite simply, India got smashed both physically and mentally
by England. And so deep were the wounds that were inflicted by England during
that series that India went on to lose 4-0 in Australia as well even though
they went into that tour in a confident frame of mind. I doubt that those
wounds have healed even after more then a year has passed. And these wounds
wont heal unless India finds some mental peace. And that peace can only come in
one way.......return the favour to England...beat them 4-0.
Not many countries are as
strong as India are in their backyard. Its no secret. The difference in the
body language and mental frame of the players is like chalk and cheese in
comparison to an overseas tour. Its like as if Harry Potter has cast a spell on
the Indian players which turns them into dragons at home and well,.... mice
abroad. Of course, India have vastly improved as a touring nation compared to what
they were in the 1990s. But the last two disastrous tours have raised a
question..."Are India going back to their days of Tigers at Home, Mice
abroad now with Dravid and Laxman retiring and Sachin soon to follow???"
or was it just "a fluke and a flash in the pan." And this series is
the first step in answering that question even though its being played at home.
India are going into this series as such overwhelming favourites that anything
less then a series win could mean the end of Dhoni's era as a Captain and the
end of Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan's carriers. India have a lot at
stake in this series and i dare say much more to lose then England. As to how
desperate India really are can be seen from the warm up games that England have
played on this tour, mediocre opposition and more importantly no exposure to
quality spinners for the England batsmen. I find this extremely
unsporting from the BCCI.
On the other hand, we
have England whose progress as a cricketing powerhouse has only gone downhill
since they took over the Number 1 ranking. They got beaten 3-0 by Pakistan in
the Middle East, drew 1-1 in Sri lanka (a credible result, mind you) and then
lost their Number 1 ranking at home by losing 0-2 to an extremely well polished
South Africa. Andrew Strauss has retired now and Alastair Cook has now taken
over the reins and for an England side I don't think there is a tougher tour
then a "Tour of India" even though in terms of importance, the Ashes
tour wins it hands down. Make no mistake though, England aren't going to be
pushovers. They weren't the Number 1 side for nothing and their biggest
strength lies in their preparation before a big series. The biggest reason for
England's 1-3 win over Australia down under was in the way they went through
the process of conquering the conditions and the opposition. In Andy Flower
they have one of the best coaches in the world, if not the best, who leaves
nothing to chance. A man who knows the value of hard work and who is probably
the main reason behind England’s success in recent years. I have no doubt that Andy Flower would have
been preparing for this series for a long time and especially after the 5-0 ODI
series defeat to India in India last year his resolve to do well this time
around will be much stronger. Just like “Chokers” is the perennial word which
the South Africans hate to discuss, “Playing spin” falls in the same category
for England. And this is the backbone of what scoreline this series might end.
Coming to this
series, the prospects are endless and the individual battles that will unfold
are fascinating to say the least. For me there are a few key areas and battles
that I think will decide the series:
1.
Alastair Cook Vs Zaheer Khan: This battle at the top of the order should be one of the
battles of the series for me. Zaheer likes bowling to left handed opening
batsmen and Cook is one of those guys whom you don’t want to get off to a
start. Plus, that he is now the Captain makes his wicket one of the biggest in
this series.
2.
Kevin Pietersen Vs Pragyan Ojha and Yuvraj Singh: Another big battle. And its one battle that England will
have to win if they are to do well in this series. Pietersen’s habit of getting
out to slow left arm bowlers is well known around the world. One thing for sure
is that this battle won’t be boring. KP will take the Indian spinners on. Its
either Boom or Bust.
3.
Virender Sehwag Vs James Anderson: The
most destructive batsman in world cricket on his day versus the best swing-seam
bowler in test cricket. England’s biggest weapon in this series is their fast
bowling and Anderson has had good success against Sehwag recently. Plus, Sehwag
has been struggling for form of late. So, an engrossing battle on the cards
here.
4.
Sachin Tendulkar Vs Graeme Swann: Swann
will have to do a lot of bowling in this series and I am pretty sure that when
Tendulkar comes out to bat then England will bowl Anderson and Swann at him to
start off. And I expect Sachin to respect Anderson and look to take Swann on. Quite
frankly, the way Sachin bats in this series is going to be one of the talking
points of the cricketing world. I personally hope to see Sachin bat
aggressively and take on England’s bowlers. The cricketing world and the whole
of India seems like a better place to live in when Sachin is in full flow.
CONCLUSION:
Its no secret that India go in as
clear favourites in this series. But India aren’t going to find it as easy they
might have hoped. England will have their moments in this series but eventually
the turning ball on turning pitches might be too much to handle. I am secretly
hoping for a 4-0 win as an Indian fan but I am also hoping that England have an
Ace under their sleeve and reveal a new and surprising tactic to counter
India’s spin bowling. What I also hope for is some brilliant umpiring (with no
DRS in the series). It’s a big series and nobody wants the talks of DRS and
poor umpiring to spoil the party. My prediction is a 2-0 or a 3-1 win to
India.
