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The anticipation among fans is escalating as India and England gear up for their Test series, commencing on January 25 in Hyderabad. The inaugural match of the 5-game series is scheduled to unfold at the renowned Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Subsequent Tests will be held in Visakhapatnam (Feb 2 to Feb 6), Rajkot (Feb 15 to Feb 19), Ranchi (Feb 23 to Feb 27), and Dharamsala (Mar 07 to Mar 11).
England last toured India in the 2020-21 series, where India emerged victorious with a 3-1 scoreline. When it comes to England’s last series win in India, it dates back to the 2012-13 season when they secured a hard-fought 2-1 triumph.
India’s batting lineup – England’s biggest challenge
Like always, the biggest challenge in the upcoming series for England would be the formidable Indian batting lineup. Players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul are renowned for their substantial impact on the game, and in their home conditions, they pose an even greater threat to England’s bowling attack.
However, the biggest wicket for England would undoubtedly be superstar Kohli. The former India skipper has a tremendous record against the English side with 1991 runs, including five hundreds and nine half-centuries.
Also READ: From Virat Kohli to James Anderson – 7 players to watch out for in India vs England Test series
Monty Panesar on how to dismiss Virat Kohli
While it remains to be seen what England team would come up to tackle Kohli, former spinner Monty Panesar has shared a strategy to unsettle the Indian superstar. Panesar proposed a psychological tactic, advising the English skipper, Ben Stokes, to exploit Kohli’s ego.
Panesar suggested that the English players should engage in sledging, specifically targeting Kohli about the lack of ICC titles in his record. According to Panesar, employing this tactic could potentially disrupt Kohli’s concentration and help England to dismiss him.
“Play with his ego and get physiologically stuck into him. They should also say things to him like, you guys are chokers when it comes to the final. They should sledge him on those lines because Stokes has won the ODI and T20 WC and Kohli has not and that is going to mentally pinch him,” said Panesar as quoted by India.com.
