The excitement for the upcoming India vs England Test series is at its highest as the two teams will take on each other in five Tests beginning from February 25 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The five-match affair is being termed as England’s toughest test as they’ve been highly successful under the leadership of captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon Mccullum having lost just four Tests under their tenure.
Hence, India head coach Rahul Dravid is in no mood take the Three Lions likely who seem hungry to end India’s 11-year unbeaten run on their home soil. Speaking ahead of the first Test, Dravid acknowledged the threat England pose with their ‘Bazball’ style of play and stated that it’s been exciting to see them play like that.
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“It’s been exciting to watch them play and you know they’ve had success playing like that. They’ve done well in Pakistan. They’ve won in New Zealand and they had a really exciting series against Australia in the Ashes as well. So, we have to respect that,” Dravid was quoted as saying by Times of India.
Further speaking ahead, Dravid stated that it will be challenging for England to adapt to Indian conditions, however, he still backed them to put pressure on Indian bowling.
“But we know that it’s going to be a challenge for them in these conditions because these are conditions we know very well. We’ve got a lot of experience in our attack. I’m looking forward to seeing how our boys respond, because I know that we will be put under pressure,” he added.
Speaking about India’s approach to counter Bazball, the former India captain revealed that India won’t be ultra-attacking but they won’t be too defensive either.
I can’t see any of my batsmen taking a backward step or look to be defensive: Dravid
“I don’t think we are going out there to try to be ultra-attacking. I think we look to play what’s in front of us, what the situation demands. But by nature, if you look at our top six-seven batsmen, there are a lot of guys who are naturally positive and look to take the game on. But I can’t see any of my batsmen taking a backward step or look to be defensive,” the Indian head coach further said.
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Notably, England were the last team to beat India on their home soil in 2012 under the leadership of Alastair Cook. Since then India haven’t lost a series and have been beaten in just three matches while winning 36 out of the 46 played. On the other hand, England have lost just four matches since Stokes became a full-time skipper and won 13 games. Hence, with the two current heavyweights of Test cricket colliding against each other, the series is expected to be a great advertisement for Test cricket.
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