England vs India 2018: 5 batsmen to watch out for in the Test series

The Indian team will conclude the tour with the five-match Test series against England. The visitors have started the England tour with the T20I series victory and lost the three-match ODI series.

Currently, India is the No.1 Test side and are coming in after a series loss against South Africa. As for England, they are ranked No.5 in the ICC Test rankings.

The Test series between India and England to be an exciting one. Alastair Cook, Joe Root, and Jos Buttler have been in great form. On the other hand, India has always been known as a strong batting side.

Hence, the upcoming series between these two teams to be a thrilling encounter. Here we mention five batsmen who are the ones to be watched out for during the series

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#5 Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane has had a tough 2018 as far as red-ball cricket is concerned

India's Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has had a tough 2018 as far as red-ball cricket is concerned. In 2018, he has played three innings and scored just 67 runs at an average of 22. Hence, he has been in poor form in the lead up to the all-important England tour.

However, every time Rahane has been under pressure, Rahane has delivered. When India was under pressure especially overseas, he has delivered on most occasions. Hence, Rahane has been India's go-to-man in overseas conditions.

When India last toured England in 2014, Rahane had played all five matches and scored 299 runs at an average of 33.22. Rahane also scored a hundred and a couple of fifties in India's tour of England in 2014.

He is one of the players who love to play away from home. In fact, he is one of the few players who have a better average playing away from home.

He has an average of 32.87 at home and 52.05 at overseas. Undoubtedly, he is crucial for India's chances in the Test series.

#4 Jonny Bairstow

Bairstow has played 54 matches and scored 3341 runs so far

Johnny Bairstow has been in good form over the past 10 months or so and despite being made the team's wicket-keeper batsman. Bairstow, who has been brilliant in the middle-order, smashed a couple of centuries during the Australia and New Zealand tours.

One of the reasons why he could not score more runs was that he batted too low down the order. He should play at No.5 and would often have to play the second new ball. Bairstow has played 54 matches and scored 3341 runs so far.

The England batsman has an average of 38.40 with the best knock of unbeaten 167 against Sri Lanka in 2016. Arguably, he will be vital for England's chances in Test series and thus, he is one of the batsmen to watch out for in the series.

#3 Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara has played 14 matches and scored 1061 runs against England in Tests

Cheteshwar Pujara is the perfect man who can bat at No.3 for India in Tests. His performances at number three would be important for India and thus, he is one of the batsmen to watch out for in the series.

Unlike his skipper, he had an ordinary performance so far in 2018. He has registered only fifty in seven innings that he played in 2018. However, he has been India’s most dependable batsman in Tests.

Pujara has played 14 matches and scored 1061 runs against England in Tests. He has an amazing average of 46.13 and a highest knock of unbeaten 206 against England. However, his record in England is not good. He will look to improve his performance in England during the Test series.

#2 Joe Root

Root has an average of around 70 against India

Joe Root is one of the best batsmen England have ever produced. He is considered as one of the best batsmen in the world. However, he is struggling to convert his fifties into hundreds in the longest format of the game.

Undoubtedly, No.3 is an important slot in the batting line-up. Joe Root has been in great form at number three position in Tests.

Root has played 11 Tests and scored 1102 runs against India. He has an average of around 70 and the best knock of unbeaten 154 against India in Tests. Root is one of the batsmen to watch out for in the Test series.

#1 Virat Kohli

Kohli has played three Tests in 2018 and scored 286 runs at an average of 47.66 with the best knock of 153

The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli has had a couple of fantastic years. In 2016 and 2017, he has started converting hundreds into double-hundreds. He continued his fine form in 2018 too.

So far, he has played three Tests in 2018 and scored 286 runs at an average of 47.66 with the best knock of 153. The way he goes about his business in the middle in Test match cricket is simply remarkable.

He tries to settle in before hit the ball in the air and has the ability to rotate the strike. Arguably, Kohli will be important at number four in the upcoming series. Apart from batting, his captaincy will play an important role in this series.