Virat Kohli & Gautam Gambhir during a practice session. Image Source: d5tv.net[/caption]Internet Desk: After the consecutive success against West Indies and New Zealand in tests the morale of the Indian cricket team is high and World No.1 India would be odds-on favorites when they take on England in what is expected to be a grueling five-Test series starting here Wednesday in Rajkot.
The five test series will be the first five-match affair on Indian soil in three decades and the opening clash will also mark the debut of Rajkot as a Test venue.
At home India beat England Four years ago this time It promises to be an engrossing contest between the world No.1 ranked India and England.
In 2012, England came back from behind and won the test series 2-1.
Superior spin bowling by Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar will be missed by England this time as the were the major factor in that English triumph.
Also some excellent batting by current skipper Alastair Cook and the controversial Kevin Pietersen, who is no longer a part of England's scheme of things, were the highlights for England.
The current Indian team led by Virat Kohli, who was a member of the team that was vanquished four years ago and later in England (3-1) two years ago in a best-of-five contest, would not have forgotten the hard lessons.
Before coming to India England had a shocking defeat against Bagladesh in the last test in Dhaka ending the series score 1-1.
England have also not played any warm-up game after landing in India a week ago. Add to that, their highest Test wicket-taker James Anderson is not available for at least the opening skirmish as he is yet to return to complete fitness from a shoulder injury.
Both Cook and all-rounder Stuart Broad, who is to play his 100th Test, have talked about England being the clear "underdogs" going into the rubber, especially against an Indian side being led in aggressive style by Kohli.
Kohli would be extremely keen to improve his not-so-impressive record with the bat against the visitors.
Coach Anil Kumble wants his team to execute plans exactly like they did when they swamped New Zealand 3-0 to begin the home season on a rousing note.
On Monday, vice captain Ajinkya Rahane talked about the dangers of becoming complacent even against an England side, which has a few new faces.
This would also be the first Test series in India where the Decision Review System (DRS), which the BCCI has consistently opposed, will be used, Vice captain Ajinkya Rahane yesterday said the team is working on how to use the DRS rightly.
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