The Investec Test series between India and England is about to begin. It is called as the big test as young generation of India take on the English bowling attack which can take opposition's 20 wickets with ease. The batsmen life would be incredibly difficult with the presence of Anderson and Broad in the opposition line-up. Meanwhile England is in all time low with lot of critics surrounding the team. It will be interesting to see how captain Alastair cook handle the pressure and it is widely regarded as India's best chance of beating England.
FIRST HURDLE : TRENT BRIDGE :
Trent Bridge ground was established in the year 1841 and first official test took place in the year 1899 between England and Australia. The highest scorer in this ground is England's great Mike Atherton, who played 11 matches at this venue and scored 1083 runs with 5 centuries against his name. Most runs scored by the Indian at this venue is 541 by Sachin Tendulkar with an whooping average of 67.62. Amongst the present players, Bell tops the chart with 383 runs. When coming to the Bowling Department it has always been the happy hunting ground for James Anderson who leads the chart with 49 wickets in mere 7 matches with six fifers and two 10-fers. India's leading wicket taker is Z Kahn with 12 wickets from two matches.
In 2011, when India toured England the visitors were already 1 - down in the series and it was the important match of the series at Trent Bridge. Indian bowlers did well to restrict England for a total of 124 - 8, but the rescue operation came from unexpected Broad and Swann who manged England to a decent total and rest is history. The host bowlers tormented the vastly experienced Indian batting lineup before they handed the visitors their second loss in as many matches.
Now with World class players retired from the sport, the Indian team has travelled to the host nation with the inexperienced side in which only three Indian players has played in England before. Indian batting line-up lies on the shoulders of Pujara and Kolhi. Both have to score runs consistently but they have to face Anderson who is like Lion at its own den, who may single handedly torment the inexperienced Indian batting line up.
When it comes to the Bowling department, likes of Shami and Bhuvi will be handful for the Indians as both can swing the ball either way. In the English camp the fast bowling is not a concern but lack of quality spin bowling will hurt them. When it comes to the batting, it revolves around Ballance, Bell, Root. Moen Ali, Prior and Broad can chip in with handy runs which can frustrate the opposition.
The biggest cricket season is about to begin where we would see some intense battles, sledging and fun parts. It is widely regarded as the India's best chance to beat England. Will the young Indian brigade live up to the expectation or will they loose their ground against the English fast bowlers? only time will say... Let the fun begin.......
