Introduction
In a significant announcement, Rahul Dravid, the head coach of the Indian cricket team, has confirmed that the preparation for the upcoming Test series against England will kick off on January 20. The much-anticipated 5-Test series is scheduled to commence on January 25, and India is gearing up for the challenge with thorough training and strategic planning.
Key Dates and Details
- India will play a 5-Test series against England starting from January 25.
- The preparation for the series will commence with a training camp in Hyderabad from January 20.
- India has not lost a Test series at home since the 2012-13 season.
Dravid's Insight on the Series
Rahul Dravid emphasized the challenging nature of a 5-Test series, noting that it’s been a considerable amount of time since any of the players have been part of such an extensive format. He expressed his hope that the Indian team will put on a commendable performance throughout the series.
“Looking forward to getting back with the group on the 20th, have a few days of lead-in preparation and hopefully play some good cricket over the next couple of months. In 5 venues, hopefully, people come out and really support Test cricket,” Dravid shared in a conversation for JioCinema.
England's Preparation and Challenges
England, led by Ben Stokes and guided by head coach Brendon McCullum, has undergone rigorous training in the UAE to face the challenges of the series. The English team, known for their fearless brand of cricket, is eager to make an impact in what promises to be an intriguing series.
“Really looking forward to it, it’s going to be an interesting series. England is a good side, they have been playing some very good cricket off late. 5 matches is a lot of cricket over the next couple of months. It’s been a long time since any of us have played a 5-match Test series. It’s going to take a lot out of us,” Dravid acknowledged.
India's Impressive Home Record
India boasts an impressive record at home, having not lost a Test series since the 2012-13 season when an Alastair Cook-led England side beat an MS Dhoni-led team 2-1. However, the current Indian squad remains vigilant of the challenges posed by the visiting English side under their new leadership group of Stokes and McCullum.
India Squad and Schedule
The squad for the Test series includes notable players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah. The series will be played across five venues, providing cricket enthusiasts with an opportunity to witness thrilling Test matches.
India Squad for England Test Series
Rohit Sharma (C)
Shreyas Iyer
Ravichandran Ashwin
Mohd. Siraj
Shubman Gill
KL Rahul (WK)
Ravindra Jadeja
Mukesh Kumar
Yashasvi Jaiswal
KS Bharat (WK)
Axar Patel
Jasprit Bumrah (VC)
Virat Kohli
Dhruv Jurel (WK)
Kuldeep Yadav
Avesh Khan
Schedule: IND vs ENG Test Series
1st Test in Hyderabad
January 25 to 29
2nd Test in Vizag
February 2 to 6
3rd Test in Rajkot
February 15 to 19
4th Test in Ranchi
February 23 to 27
5th Test in Dharamsala
arch 7 to 11
For the latest updates on the Test series IND vs ENG and more cricket insights, visit CricAdvisor.