Virat Kohli-led India lost the inaugural WTC cycle to New Zealand in the summit clash. Kohli & Co. have remained in the United Kingdom following the WTC finale and will now commence their journey in the second WTC, which will get underway for them with the five Tests versus Joe Root-led England from August 4.
For the unversed, Team India will host New Zealand and Sri Lanka for two Tests each in the second cycle whereas the national side also have away tours of South Africa and Bangladesh after the England series. Thus, former India Test specialist-turned-commentator VVS Laxman feels India’s England Tests will be their most stern test in the upcoming WTC cycle.
Laxman wrote in his column for The Times of India, “Top sides pride themselves on exponentially becoming better versions of themselves. One of the big challenges in Test cricket is conquering foreign lands. Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri will be mindful that India haven’t won a series in England since 2007, and that their last three outings have ended in heavy defeats. The endeavour this time will be to arrest that trend, which is not an unrealistic expectation given the quality of resources at their disposal.”
He further opined, “This series will be India’s greatest examination during the new WTC cycle. With all due respect, South Africa aren’t quite the same side as they were and India have done well in that country over the years, so they will fancy their chances of a maiden series win there later in the year. A good display in England will do wonders for India’s confidence as well as their standing in Test cricket.”
India’s last Test series win in England came in 2007.
