Former India captain Rahul Dravid predicts the winner of 2018 India vs England test series and backed India to clinch the Pataudi trophy 2-1. India have won three test series in England, the last victory came way back in 2007 when Dravid lead India to a 1-0 victory.
“One of the big things is how quickly you adapt to the conditions. When we won here in 2007, it was a three-match Test series and we couldn’t afford to start badly, you had to hit the ground running hard. In a five-match series, you have a little bit more time.” Dravid said during a podcast with BBC 5 Live Sport
Dravid urged Indian team management to maintain the fitness levels of their fast bowlers through the gruelling five match series.
Also read: India vs England: Michael Vaughan predict the winner of five match test series
“I do think the Indian team has a good chance here but the key would be to take 20 wickets. I have no doubt that we will score runs at some stage but the key is to keep our fast bowlers fit. We have got a good crop of young pacers but it’s five Test matches in six weeks,” he said.
Some experts have claimed this India attack to be the best that the team has ever possessed. In the first test, the trio of Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav will be testing the English batsman. Jasprit Bumrah will be available for selection from the second test, adding more strength to the bowling department. Shardul Thakur, who first got fame from red ball cricket playing for Mumbai in domestic cricket is also waiting for an opportunity in whites.
Revisiting the history- Series win in 2007
“When we won here in 2007, the same bowling lineup played in all three matches and we were lucky that nobody got injured and that made a big difference. If we get our best bowling lineup on the park for at least four of the five games, we will give ourselves a good chance,” Dravid said.
Prediction
Dravid predicted in the favour of Virat Kohli’s Indian team 2-1.
