5 reasons why England won't be able to repeat the series win of 2012 against India

The England Test team is visiting India after a gap of 4 years to play 5-match series. They have defeated India 3 times in a row twice at home and once away. They have fond memories of their last trip in 2012 when they defeated India 2-1 in a 4-match series. After England losing the first Test at Ahmedabad, everyone had predicted an easy win for India in the remainder of the series, but to everyone’s surprise, visitors came back strongly to win the next two games at Mumbai and Kolkata respectively. The last Test at Nagpur ended in a draw but England had already clinched the series. But the times have changed now, there are massive differences in the performances of both sides in the recent times. India has reclaimed the number 1 spot in Tests and England suffered its first ever defeat against Bangladesh. This series is expected to produce different results from the previous one. Here are the factors that suggest that England won’t be able to replicate the heroics of the last tour: 1. No Kevin Pietersen: Kevin Pietersen of England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) The legendary batsman was made the scapegoat after England’s embarrassing Ashes 2013/14 defeat down under and has been missing from the squad since. He was instrumental in the England’s triumph on the last tour to India and whether the selectors agree or not, he will surely be missed by the team. His innings of 186 in the first innings of the second Test at Mumbai was one of the best in the history of English cricket. That inning was the turning point in the team’s fortune that kept getting better after that. He scored two crucial fifties in the two Tests that followed and left the Indian bowlers clueless. Also read – Virat Kohli is as good as it gets: Kevin Pietersen 2. Techniques of batsmen against spinners: England captain Alastair Cook reacts after losing the second Test match. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) England had a very tough time in Bangladesh as they suffered a Test defeat at the hands of the minnows for the first time. The conditions in India will not be too different from what they found in Bangladesh. The challenge is only going to get tougher against the quality spinners of India. The skipper Alastair Cook and Joe Root are the only two that look ascertain against spin amongst the current bunch of batsmen. Last time, they had Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior who were way better against spin than the batsmen in the present England squad. Also read – The series is a big challenge and we are the underdogs: Alastair Cook 3. A rejuvenated Ashwin Ravichandran Ashwin. (Photo Source: BCCI) Although the Indian spinner was a part of the Indian squad against England on the previous occasion as well, yet he will be a bigger threat than the last time. His performances in the last couple of years have been extraordinary and his skills with spin have reached another level altogether. He is the number 1 Test bowler in the world currently and has been running through the sides consistently. He has been winning the man of the series awards more constantly than anyone else ever. England will have to bat out of their skins and tackle the 30-year-old to have any chance of winning this time around. Also read – Monty Panesar hails Ravi Ashwin ahead of the start of the Test series 4. Lack of quality spinners Adil Rashid of England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) England has had the services of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid for quite some time as the regular spinners. They have a new left-arm spinner in the form of Zafar Ansari and have been joined by the 39-year-old offie Gareth Batty. But none of these has come up with extraordinary performance to stand out. The whole spin attack is relatively inexperienced at the international stage. On the previous tour, they had the master off-spinner Graeme Swann and witty left-arm spinner Monty Panesar who took 20 and 17 wickets respectively. The Indian batsmen were surprised by the bowling performances that these two had put up. They played a pivotal role in the series win something that England will dearly miss here. Also read – 11 facts about Adil Rashid: England’s leg spinning hope 5. An aggressive captain Kohli Virat Kohli with the Test mace. (Photo Source: BCCI) Since Kohli was handed over with India’s Test captaincy, the team has tasted an incredible amount of success. Under him, India won overseas in Sri Lanka and West Indies and at home, defeated South Africa and New Zealand. As a captain, he has been on a 13 match unbeaten streak and is expected to prolong it against England. He leaves no stones unturned and his aggressive attitude is equally translated into his captaincy as well. He looks to attack from the first ball and is always in search of wickets. India has reclaimed the number 1 spot in Test cricket and will look to strengthen its position at the top by defeating England. Also read – MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli have tremendous respect for each other: Ravi Shastri

Topics

Featured Section

Current Series

Cricket Fantasy Tips

Cricket Stats

IPL Teams

ICC Rankings

Interviews

Twitter Reactions

Cricket Appeal

Social Tracker

More Links

# Follow Us

Other Sports

5 reasons why England won't be able to repeat the series win of 2012 against India

4. Lack of quality spinners

Also read – 11 facts about Adil Rashid: England’s leg spinning hope

Latest Articles

IPL 2025: Top 3 teams who can sign KL Rahul in mega-auction

Rohit Sharma opens up on being MI’s fourth retention

Virat Kohli reacts after being retained by RCB once again