Rahul Dravid optimistic about the tour of England

Former Indian great Rahul Dravid reckons that India will win the upcoming Test series challenge in England 3-2. In fact, Dravid was the last India captain to win a Test series in England in 2007. Since then, it has remained an uncharted horizon but the series scheduled in August-September will be a ‘great series to watch’, asserted The Wall.

“I really do think India have a very good chance this time,” Dravid said in a webinar organised by Live Aid India, a trust to help those affected by Covid-19. “There’s no question about their [England’s] bowling. Whatever bowling attack England put on the park, especially their seam-bowling attack, is going to be fantastic. They have a lot of players to pick and choose from and that’s going to be terrific.

“But if you look at their top six or top seven, you really think of one great batsman, a world-class batsman who is Joe Root. Obviously, Ben Stokes is another one, who is a good allrounder, but for some reason Ashwin seems to do well against him. And that should be an interesting contest. I know he’s done well against him [Stokes] in India, but it’ll still be an interesting subplot to the series.

“But I just think India will be well-prepared, have the confidence from Australia, there’s lot of belief in the squad. A couple of players have been to England a few times, there’s a lot of experience in the batting order this time around, so this is probably our best chance, maybe say 3-2 to India.”

Dravid also mentioned that his assessment of India’s chances had a lot to do with the schedule and the amount of time the team would get to acclimatize to the conditions in England. They are expected to fly to England on June 2 to take on New Zealand in the final of the World Test Championship from June 18.

Following that they are expected to play intra-squad games until the first Test begins in Nottingham on August 4. “I think India will play really well in England this time,” Dravid said. “It’s a great opportunity we’ve got. After the WTC final, they’re going to be in England for a whole month before the Test series starts. I don’t think any team has had that kind of time to prepare for a Test series as India will have this time, so that surely should be a great advantage.

Rahul Dravid also asked for the conditions in England to be respected as they are very different from the rest of the world. “In England, if there’s one thing you’ve always got to respect, it’s the conditions. It’s slightly different from say an Australia or India. To some extent you sort of get the feeling [as batsmen] that you’re never set. Even if you’re set and you get a good start, batting on 30, 40, 50, things can change very quickly, the weather can change, the ball can swing even after it’s 40-50 overs old,” concluded Dravid.