England vs India 2014: Five players key to India's chances of victory

A Test series for India against England, in England, is always hugely challenging, illustrated by the fact that India have managed to win just the 5 Test matches from a total of 52 Test matches that they have played there. Given thats the case, if India are to improve their Test record in England, who are the players that could play a key role in the Test series?India have picked an 18-man squad for the Tests, and given the longevity of the tour, theres no doubt that each one of the 18 will have to contribute at some stage or another. But here are 5 players who, I think, will have to play a critical role for India to even entertain thoughts of a series victory.

#5 Ishant Sharma

You’d be surprised to hear that Ishant Sharma is one of only 3 members, in the current squad, to have previously played a Test in England, the other two being MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir. It is a surprise only because he still gets away, for his poor performances, with the excuse that he is still learning at the international level.

He has already played more than 50 Tests, and it is high time that he starts justifying the amount of chances he has got. He did get reasonable returns against New Zealand in the Test series in February-March and he needs to build on that. Despite his moderate international record, he has the potential to be playing a critical role in England.

Due to his height, he is capable of extracting disconcerting bounce for the batsmen. While that is well and good, he needs to make good use of those attributes by consistently hitting a good line and length. If he does so, he will not only succeed in causing havoc for the England batsmen but also in rewarding the undying faith of his captain MS Dhoni.

#4 R Ashwin

A record of 104 Test wickets from 19 Tests is impressive, mighty impressive. But Ashwin, being the honest man that he is, will be the first to acknowledge that he has benefitted, greatly, by playing 15 of those 19 Tests in favourable home conditions. A record of 9 wickets from his 4 away Tests at an average of 74.77 is less flattering.

Despite such a disparity between his home and away records, I think it would be wise to show faith in him. He was dropped for the 2nd Test against South Africa and for the subsequent Tests against New Zealand, but he would’ve learned from those experiences and I think the time is right for him to get another go. H

is international career is still adolescent, but he has shown, in the little time, an inclination to constantly improve and respond positively to challenges. The English conditions are, most certainly, a challenge for him, but one that he is very much capable of conquering.

He has already spoken, since arriving in England, about how he is looking forward to playing in England and wants to look for wickets rather than opt for the conservative approach. That is refreshing to hear and, for his sake, I hope he gets his rewards.

#3 Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara, along with Kohli, has formed the backbone of the Indian batting line-up in Test cricket since the retirements of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. There was a lot of trepidation about what India would do once greats like Tendulkar and Dravid call it a day, but Pujara’s presence has ensured that India are doing just fine.

Despite his stupendous first-class batting average, he has had his doubters because of a majority of those runs being made on a batting featherbed in Saurashtra. But he has silenced all those doubting his ability away from home, with an impressive series in South Africa last year.

Pujara is probably the most important batsman for India in this series because of his rock-solid defense. English bowlers will be keen on dislodging Pujara quickly each time he steps out to bat in the series because the longer Pujara stays at the crease, the quicker the English bowlers will tire.

#2 Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is now widely acclaimed to be one of the best international batsmen currently playing the game. He has shown that he is not just a flat track bully, by making runs in all conditions and against all types of bowlers.

English conditions are said to be the true test of a batsman’s technique, with many great players, like Mahela Jayawardene and Jacques Kallis, only having moderate Test records in England.

Kohli has tasted success in English conditions but it’s been in the shorter formats, having never played a Test match in England before. With the whole cricket public watching, this is a great chance for Kohli to make a mark and establish himself as one of the modern-day greats.

#1 MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni is, far and away, India’s most experienced member in the current squad. He also has the experience of playing in a Test series in England in both 2007 and 2011 – although he has had 2 hugely contrasting experiences. A memorable Test series victory in 2007 followed up by the 4-0 disaster in 2011. Nonetheless, his past experiences will prove handy to the young players on their first England tour who might be taken aback, in the coming weeks, by the overall hype that surrounds an England tour.

Apart from sharing his international experience, gained over close to 10 years, with the other players in the team, he will have to display a more attacking mindset as captain. Too often in the past, he has seemed happy to contain runs when the need of the hour has been taking wickets.

The hope is that he has learned his lesson.

He will also be keen as a mustard, I’m guessing, to correct his fallow record as a Test match batsman away from home. He is yet to score a Test century away from home despite playing close to 100 Tests, and there is no better time, than now, to do away with that notorious stat.