Virat Kohli & Co. eyeing to break the jinx at Edgbaston

India have never defeated England in a Test match at Edgbaston. Out of the 6 games, India have lost 5 while one ended in a draw

India’s blueprint for success in England

Even when Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay were toying with the debutant Afghans, Sanjay Manjrekar in the commentary box quietly chipped in with a question, “Can they repeat the same in England?” a month and a half has passed since that day in Bengaluru. India have got the better of England in T20Is, ended up on the wrong side of ODIs but the question still remains.

One of the reasons, if not the main one for the ultra sceptic nature, is India’s dismal show in England in recent times. India have lost seven of their last 10 Tests in England, managing to secure a draw on two occasions and have a solitary victory in Lord’s to show for, albeit in different times and with different teams. At the same time, the Indian cricket team has never defeated England in a Test match played at Edgbaston. Out of the six games, India have lost five while one ended in a draw way back in 1986.

All the more reasons why the expectations from the current Virat Kohli led Indian side would be sky-high when they take on England in a five-match Test series starting from August 1.

Why this Indian side can turn the tables in England

Potent pace attack: Dare we say, India would perhaps land in England with their best ever pace attack. Though there is considerable time left before the Test squad is announced, the Indian seam bowlers more or less pick themselves. Since India's specialist pacemen, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah will not feature in the Birmingham Test, the Indian team has to rely upon the experienced names including Umesh Yadav. Ishant Sharma brings in a wealth of experience and can be India’s go to man if they want to pepper Root and Co. with short stuff. When it comes to handling the old ball, there are few better than Mohammed Shami. When you throw Hardik Pandya in the mix along with this five-star attack, the Indian seam attack looks more threatening than ever.

Balance: Apart from the No. 6 spot, which will be rotated among an extra batsman, a seam-bowling all-rounder and the wicket-keeper, depending on the conditions, the Indian line-up looks more settled than ever. In fact, they are spoilt for choices when it comes to the openers, fast bowlers and spinners.

Watch #TeamIndia sweat it out in the nets as they gear up for the 1st Test against England at Edgbatson, beginning August 1.#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/mp53kUMaFj

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 30, 2018

A waning England side: Exactly the opposite can be said about the current England side. Alastair Cook gets a new opening partner faster than an Abbas Mustan movie sees its next twist. The batting below Root looks thin. England are still juggling between Malan, Balance and Buttler. The sudden loss of form from Moeen Ali has left a big void in the spin department too. These factors explain with 8 losses in 16 matches, why England have had their worst year in Test cricket in recent times.

Key men for India

Virat Kohli: 134 runs in five Tests at an average of 13.40. All that is certainly set to change in August as a wiser, fitter and a better Test batsman in Kohli takes the field. Needless to say, his batting prowess against the swinging Duke ball and his smartness while marshalling is troop in the field will pretty much decide the outcome of the series.

Has to watch out for James Anderson: The current highest wicket-taker in world cricket dismissed Kohli five times in 2014. If anything else, Jimmy has got older but can still cause a fair bit of damage.

Making the most out of the sunny day.

#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/doy0r8893u

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 30, 2018

Ajinkya Rahane: Kohli’s deputy and India’s best overseas batsman. Despite the record-breaking win under his captaincy in Afghanistan, he has a lot to prove for the snub he got in South Africa. Rahane scored a century in the only Test that India won in England in their last two trips.

Has to watch out for spinners: There is a very slim chance that Rahane will encounter Moeen Ali, his principal tormentor of 2014 but one simply can’t overlook his vulnerability against spin.

What are @ajinkyarahane88's thoughts on the team's spin bowling department? Interesting insights here #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/FuHYr90e3U

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 30, 2018

Has to watch out for Joe Root: If there is anyone who can stand tall in front of Kumar’s swing and accuracy, it’s the England captain Joe Root. Rated as a better Test player than Kohli, Root will have his hands full against Kumar and Co.

Hardik Pandya: You simply can’t ignore the presence of Pandya. Whether it’s his changing hair-style or his three-dimensional attributes, he is the one for the future. Even though he may not be on everyone’s playing XI for the first Test match, Pandya has the ability to change the outcome of the series. He brings something that India did not have in their last two England tours – a quality seam bowling all-rounder

Has to watch out for Ben Stokes: Unlike other battles, this may not be a face to face duel but can very well determine the results. If Pandya can do what Stokes has been doing for England in the last couple of years or so then there is a high chance of India coming back with the trophy.

Predicted XI for the first Test

Shikhar Dhawan

Murali Vijay

Cheteshwar Pujara

Virat Kohli

Ajinkya Rahane

Dinesh Karthik

Hardik Pandya

R Ashwin

Umesh Yadav

Mohammed Shami

Ishant Sharma