What 2017 has in store for Indian Cricket – The year preview

After having quite a satisfying year in 2016, where they were solid in Tests and decent in ODIs and T20Is, Indian cricket will move on to the next year with a lot of hopes. As always, the New Year will bring a fresh set of challenges and the Indian team will strive to improve on their form and look to tighten their loose ends in all the three formats. Let’s take a look, now, at what’s in store for Indian cricket in 2017.

England’s Tour of India- 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is, January 2017:

After almost a month-long gap the English team will begin the limited-overs leg of India in January 2017. England is a much improved limited-overs side since their shock exit in the 2015 World Cup and the likes of Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, among others who were not a part of the Test side that lost to India recently will be the ones to watch out for. India, meanwhile, has had fluctuating fortunes in the limited-overs in the recent past. The onus will be on the Mahendra Singh Dhoni side to ensure that they reclaim some momentum.

India, meanwhile, has had fluctuating fortunes in the limited-overs in the recent past. The onus will be on the Mahendra Singh Dhoni led side to ensure that they reclaim some momentum. The extreme dependency on Virat Kohli would need to be shed off and the others would need to show some responsibility if India hopes to stake a claim at the Champions Trophy later in the year.

Given England’s resurgence in the shorter format, his has all the makings of a fascinating, closely fought series.

Also read- Stats: Test cricket numbers for the year 2016

Bangladesh tour of India – Only Test, February 2017:

This will be the first time that Bangladesh will be visiting India for a Test match since they got their Test status in 2000. It will be a monumental moment, hence, in Bangladesh cricket. Given the form that India has been exhibiting in Tests, it will be difficult for the visitors to challenge the home team.

However, the likes of Tamim Iqbal, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, and exciting young off-spinner Mehedi Hasan would be the ones to watch out for. If they can replicate their form against England last year, then we might have an interesting match.

Australia tour of India – 4 Tests, Feb-March 2017:

The last time Australia toured India for a 4-match Test series in 2013, they were walloped 4-0. And today, Australia are more vulnerable than ever after being defeated 2-1 at home by South Africa recently. It will, hence, be a tremendous task for the Steve Smith led side to upstage a resurgent Indian Test team led by the enigmatic Virat Kohli.

India would look to bolster their Test status and build on their winning culture. However, you can never quite discount Australia, even when they are vulnerable. If the captain can lead from the front, and the other in-form players like David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc can up the ante, then India might well be in for a surprise.

A gruelling Tests series is awaited.

Also read- 11 Players who flopped in the year 2016

ICC Champions Trophy 2017, England, June 2017:

India, who are the defending champions of the tournament, will have a lot to prove here. This championship is going to be significant for them as it will allow India to set a base of players to move ahead with for the World Cup 2019 which is also to be played in England. India have a tough group and will start their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan, followed by Sri Lanka and then mighty South Africa.

It will be challenging for the Men in Blue, undoubtedly, who are still unsure of their ODI lineup and who are too reliant on Kohli. But memories of their last time here in the tourney would perhaps buoy them on. Either way, it is going to be a make or break tournament for the MS Dhoni led side and will give us a proper picture of where Indian ODI cricket is headed.

Proposed tours:

India is likely to tour Sri Lanka in August-September 2017 for 3 Tests, 5 ODIs and 2 T20Is. The tour and the dates have not been confirmed as of yet, but if it does happen then it will be a great opportunity for India to reinforce their Test and shorter format status. Sri Lanka are vulnerable at the moment and are going through a transitional phase. It is unlikely they would be able to challenge India.

Australia is then supposed to return to India for 7 ODIs and 2 T20Is in October- November 2017. This is going to be a massive challenge for India, as Australia, the current world champions, are a completely different proposition in the shorter formats. They are very likely to give India a great run for their money at home.

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India are likely to tour South Africa from November 2017 onwards for a Test, ODI and T20I series. This will be a huge moment in Indian cricket as they have historically struggled quite badly in South Africa, especially in Tests. The last time, they did come close to winning the Test at Durban but gave it away.

South Africa are undisputable at home, in fact, they are indomitable almost everywhere. It will be a herculean task, hence, for India on this tour and it is going to be Virat Kohli’s greatest challenge as a captain. It will also show us whether the fabulous success the current Indian team recently had at home in Tests can finally be replicated overseas. A win on this tour would be historic and pave the way for a new and resurgent India.

So, some thrilling and gruelling encounters are in the offing from Indian cricket in 2017. Hopefully, it will be an even better year for India than the last one and we will get to see some new and exciting faces emerge for them. A lot to look forward to, clearly.