By: Sandipan Bose
Like life, cricket too has a funny side to it. The best team in the world today could hit the rock bottom in no time. This cycle is so unpredictable that even the best of experts can’t anticipate ‘the rise and fall’ of any team.
However, Indian Cricket Team in last two years has been an exception than a rule and showed great signs of progress from the time they lost the 2014-15 Australian series Down Under.
At least, India’s form at home has been exceptional and in the process of becoming a force to reckon within the world arena. Of course, this team doesn’t have a series win in top Test playing nations like Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand, still experts are backing India to go all the way.
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India bat deep, bowl to take those 20 wickets and even field exceptionally these days. It is believed that they can dethrone the best side at home and match the others away from home.
So much so that the forthcoming five-match series against England is dubbed to be a one-sided affair. Some pundits are saying that the first two Test matches could be over in seven days time.
With England not doing enough in their previous series against Bangladesh, not many are pinning their hope on them. Mentally, they are completely distracted and, perhaps, don’t know the way forward.
It’s also tough to image that this was the same team, which conquered India last time they came as tourists. In that 2012 series, England had exploited the Indian conditions well to their advantage to win it by a 2-1 margin.
It was a rare sight then to see the way India surrendered at home. In front of Monty Panesar, Graeme Swann and Kevin Pietersen, the hosts really had little to do. Without these stars, this England team is a depleted one for sure.
Even strike bowler James Anderson is not with the team as he is undergoing rehabilitation for his shoulder injury. Therefore, going by the current form, India are the real favourites this time!
