India vs England: 3 reasons why the 2014 result could be repeated in the 2018 Test Series

India has finally announced the squad for the Test matches to be played against England. Interestingly, India has announced an 18 member squad that too only for the first 3 Test Matches out of which one player isn’t available at least for the first Test.

Most of the players picked themselves in the squad but a few important members are missing. India will be without the services of their first choice wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha as he has injured himself once again. Bhuvneshwar Kumar isn’t available too for the first three Test matches and it is a big blow for India.

The selectors have gone in with Karun Nair to fill in the place of Rohit Sharma. It looks like they are looking beyond Rohit for overseas Tests as he hasn’t performed whenever India has toured abroad for Test Matches.

Before the tour started India were looking good to give England a fight in the Test Matches but suddenly in the last week or so India have lost momentum by losing the ODI series and by missing out some key players. India’s squad is looking a bit slim and we could see a repeat of the 2014 series.

So, let’s have a look at 3 such reasons as to why India could go down once again to England.

3. Cook and Root back in form

Cook and Root love batting against India

When the T20 series started Root was looking totally out of form. He wasn’t able to score runs and pick any delivery from Kuldeep. He was even dropped for the third T20I. Even in the first ODI, he didn’t score runs.

But as they say ‘Form is Temporary but Class is Permanent’ Joe Root showed his class and wasn’t dismissed in the last 2 ODIs. He scored back to back hundreds and helped England win the ODI series. He even started picking Kuldeep and played him easily. This is a huge bonus for England as he has a phenomenal record against India.

Even Cook got some runs under his belt. He scored 180 against India A and looked in great form. These two batsmen can cause India a lot of troubles. If these two batsmen continue to score runs in the Test series then India will be on the back foot and will find it difficult to make a comeback.

2. India’s batting struggles in English Conditions

Pujara hasn't scored enough runs in the County Championship this season

When India traveled to South Africa this year their batting struggled on the green wickets. England will be aware of this fact and try and give pitches which have grass on them. Indian batsmen don’t play swing really well.

Whenever the ball swings and seams, India’s batting struggles. Cheteshwar Pujara who played County Cricket this season struggled as well. He scored 172 runs in 12 innings at a below-par average of 14.33 with the highest score of 41.

Murali Vijay too couldn’t score runs in the match against England Lions as he had scores of 8 and 0 in the two innings. KL Rahul hasn’t played in these conditions and it will take time for him to get used to. Kohli and Dhawan too had struggled last time. These Indian batsmen have to improve against the moving ball or else they might be in for a repeat of the 2014 series.

1. Frontline fast bowlers injured

Bhuvi and Bumrah both will miss the first Test match

India’s frontline fast bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar both won’t be available for the first Test match. In fact, Bhuvi is going to miss the first 3 Test Matches and Bumrah too might miss the 2nd Test as well. This is a huge blow for India considering that these two were instrumental in India’s last overseas Test win in South Africa.

Jasprit Bumrah picked up 14 wickets in 3 Test matches against South Africa which included a 5 Wicket Haul. The English conditions suit a bowler like Bhuvneshwar as he likes to swing the ball. He was going to be our main weapon going into the series.

Last time when India toured England he was India’s leading wicket-taker and he picked up 42% of the wickets. He not only contributes with the ball but scores with the bat as well. He scored 3 fifties in 2014 and was India’s third highest run-scorer after Vijay and Rahane. Bhuvi not being available for the first three test matches has hampered India’s chances badly and so we might see a repeat of the result of the 2014 series.