India vs England 2014: Low-Key Build Up For The Big Test!

As the Indian team embarks on its 3^rd away test-tour assignment of the year (the longest in recent history), a sense of nervous anxiety occupies the mental build-up. The memories of unending travails on away soil are still alive; more so given India’s last moment of success away from home came before that miserable trip to England in 2011. Given the nature of test cricket, phases of consistent success or failure shouldn’t surprise, yet India’s contrasting numbers before and after the 2011 WC win in tests are remarkable.

The disparity in India’s batting prowess from the 2011 tour is unmistakeably evident; the bowling on this occasion looks even thinner on experience. Barring Dhoni, Gambhir & Ishant, none of the 18-man squad has had the opportunity of playing test cricket in England previously; neither the trio can boast of impressive statistics. Despite a topsy-turvy 2013 for the Cook-led England, the presence of a similar core unit from 2011 and the advantage of playing at home would give England a definite advantage in the previews of the upcoming 5-match series. India’s run of late in South Africa & New Zealand highlights lost opportunities of converting winning positions to wins. While a 2-test series can accommodate such instances, for a long test series these moments could be decisive momentum shifters.

On a backdrop of such texture it would seem futile to expect anything other than a narrow loss margin from the series. The only big positive which may drive team meetings is hope that things cannot sink further. The lack of hope creates enough space for rare opportunities of heroic ordeals. Tendulkar’s early fame came in England & Australia, Dravid & Ganguly arrived in international cricket at Lord’s, Sehwag announced himself with a blazing 100 in South Africa, Virat Kohli’s moment of recognition came after his gutsy knocks Down Under when rest of his colleagues were stumbling to weave long partnerships. Likes of Pujara, Rahane, Dhawan and Rohit have that grand opportunity to make a statement in a rare 5-match test tour. Somebody of the pedigree of Virat can make a name for himself in a new country by prolonging his stay in that silken patch. With limited spinners in the squad, Ashwin & Jadeja can execute their trade without having to worry about place in the XI. Binny can expect a test debut at some point, and so can Pankaj Singh and Ishwar Pandey.

While the rosy side of the story renders a picture of all-is-not-lost, Dhoni & Fletcher would be mindful of the repercussions another poor series could have; not only for the confidence of the players but also in the generic build-up of a side that would defending a world title in another format in 8 months time. Though Gambhir has been out of the side for a while, his presence would demand responsibility along with inputs by virtue of prior experience. Not for the first occasion Ishant finds himself as the senior-most face in the bowling line-up and alongside Bhuvaneshwar, Shami & Aaron the spotlight would keep following if 20 opposition wickets don’t keep coming often.

In the last 2 decades India has been to England for 4 test series; and none has been short of leaving a lasting imprint on the players, followers and history books. Given the current situation of the team and contemporary form, lack of - consistent batting collapses, wicket-less sessions, active movement in the field & body language would be a greater positive than the eventual series scoreline. Two practice games and a fortnight before the first test is a decent build-up period for a longish tour. India has always been a team which takes time to get going and with the focus currently on the football world cup, the team wouldn’t mind the lack of glare on it. However when the contest begins on the 9^th of July, there would be one side having a lot of things to prove!