India vs England: England series will be greatest examination, says VVS Laxman | Cricket News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: India have won a Test series in England thrice – in 1971 (under Ajit Wadekar’s captaincy), in 1986 (under Kapil Dev’s captaincy), and in 2007 (under Rahul Dravid’s captaincy). India skipper Virat Kohli will aim to join the elite list of captains when India kick off their five-match Test series campaign against England.
Former India cricketer VVS Laxman calls India’s Test series against England as their greatest examination.
“Even though they had nothing to show for their efforts in the end, India were the most consistent side of the inaugural World Test Championship. As the second WTC gets under way on Wednesday in Nottingham with the first of five Tests against England, India’s focus will be to maintain the standards they have set over the last few years, in the knowledge that if they stick to their disciplines, rewards will follow,” Laxman wrote in bis column for Times of India.
“Top sides pride themselves on exponentially becoming better versions of themselves. One of the big challenges in Test cricket is conquering foreign lands. Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri will be mindful that India haven’t won a series in England since 2007, and that their last three outings have ended in heavy defeats. The endeavour this time will be to arrest that trend, which is not an unrealistic expectation given the quality of resources at their disposal,” he said.
After 2007, India toured England three times (2011, 2014, and 2018), but failed to add another series win on English soil.
India will take on England in the first Test on August 4 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
The second Test (Aug 12 – Aug 16) will be played at Lord’s, the third (Aug 25 – Aug 29) at Headingley, the fourth (Sep 02 – Sep 06) at Kennington Oval, and the fifth Test (Sep 10 – Sep 14) at Old Trafford.
“This series will be India’s greatest examination during the new WTC cycle. With all due respect, South Africa aren’t quite the same side as they were and India have done well in that country over the years, so they will fancy their chances of a maiden series win there later in the year. A good display in England will do wonders for India’s confidence as well as their standing in Test cricket,” Laxman said.
“England will be without Ben Stokes, whose withdrawal owing to mental health issues is another grim reminder of the extraordinary times we live in. Ben is acknowledged as one of the fiercest competitors, driven by tremendous mental strength to go with his brilliance on the field. What this latest instance goes to show is that this is an issue that can afflict anyone at any stage, and to seek assistance is definitely not a sign of weakness,” he said.
“India’s cricketers have been in various bubbles for nearly a year now, and I can only imagine the stresses and apprehensions they must have endured, particularly in light of Rishabh Pant in England and Krunal Pandya in Sri Lanka testing Covid-positive. I hope the authorities have facilitated the availability of mental health counsellors to whom the players can turn with trust should they so feel the need,” Laxman added.
Former India cricketer VVS Laxman calls India’s Test series against England as their greatest examination.
“Even though they had nothing to show for their efforts in the end, India were the most consistent side of the inaugural World Test Championship. As the second WTC gets under way on Wednesday in Nottingham with the first of five Tests against England, India’s focus will be to maintain the standards they have set over the last few years, in the knowledge that if they stick to their disciplines, rewards will follow,” Laxman wrote in bis column for Times of India.
“Top sides pride themselves on exponentially becoming better versions of themselves. One of the big challenges in Test cricket is conquering foreign lands. Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri will be mindful that India haven’t won a series in England since 2007, and that their last three outings have ended in heavy defeats. The endeavour this time will be to arrest that trend, which is not an unrealistic expectation given the quality of resources at their disposal,” he said.
After 2007, India toured England three times (2011, 2014, and 2018), but failed to add another series win on English soil.
India will take on England in the first Test on August 4 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
The second Test (Aug 12 – Aug 16) will be played at Lord’s, the third (Aug 25 – Aug 29) at Headingley, the fourth (Sep 02 – Sep 06) at Kennington Oval, and the fifth Test (Sep 10 – Sep 14) at Old Trafford.
“This series will be India’s greatest examination during the new WTC cycle. With all due respect, South Africa aren’t quite the same side as they were and India have done well in that country over the years, so they will fancy their chances of a maiden series win there later in the year. A good display in England will do wonders for India’s confidence as well as their standing in Test cricket,” Laxman said.
“England will be without Ben Stokes, whose withdrawal owing to mental health issues is another grim reminder of the extraordinary times we live in. Ben is acknowledged as one of the fiercest competitors, driven by tremendous mental strength to go with his brilliance on the field. What this latest instance goes to show is that this is an issue that can afflict anyone at any stage, and to seek assistance is definitely not a sign of weakness,” he said.
“India’s cricketers have been in various bubbles for nearly a year now, and I can only imagine the stresses and apprehensions they must have endured, particularly in light of Rishabh Pant in England and Krunal Pandya in Sri Lanka testing Covid-positive. I hope the authorities have facilitated the availability of mental health counsellors to whom the players can turn with trust should they so feel the need,” Laxman added.
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