IND vs ENG Test: Predicting Winner of India vs England 5-Match Test Series, Michael Atherton shares his views

IND vs ENG Test: Predicting Winner of India vs England 5-Match Test Series: With all the other bilateral engagements done and dusted, all eyes have now the upcoming India vs England 5-match test series in focus. The red-ball series against England, which begins on January 25, will be crucial as it will be part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25.

The build-up has already begun for the 5-match series with fans and pundits getting involved in the discourse and putting their views. Experts have also begun playing mind games ahead of the series, which is a general trend nowadays.

While the India vs England series opener is scheduled on January 25 in Hyderabad, the visitors have yet not landed in the host city, instead, they have opted to train in Abu Dhabi. The Englishmen had the option of getting into the groove with the practice game, however, they reportedly denied it.

Meanwhile, the Indian squad has already marked their attendance in Hyderabad. The hosts were asked to re-group on January 20th to gear up for the upcoming challenge against England.

It is noteworthy that the key determinant during the India vs England 5-match test series will be the role of spinners. As indicated by the stats, Indian pitches have been on the slower side providing ample aid to the spinners. The test matches, over the years, have witnessed how the tweakers have dictated their terms from day one.

With spin playing the dominant role, Team India keeps an upper hand over any other country at home. The quality of the Indian spin attack is second to none. The presence of dynamic spinners – R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav – makes the Indian attack formidable and lethal at the same time.

In comparison to the Indian spinners, England only have Jack Leach as their seasoned spinner. Though the squad boasts the likes of Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir, and Rehan Ahmed, they lack significant experience of the Indian conditions.

IND vs ENG: Atherton predicts India to Win India vs England Test

Former England cricketer turned commentator, Michael Atherton, speaking along similar lines, reckons the dominant Indian spin attack will be pivotal in producing results during the upcoming five-match test series between India and England.

Keeping the spin prowesses of the Indian squad in mind, Atherton believes that the hosts will win the test series quite comfortably.

“I think India will win. Their spinners are better than England’s, and that will be the defining thing in the end,” said Michael Atherton.

“If you go to India, spin will play a big part, it historically has done and I suspect it always will do. India do have a very strong seam attack as well. India’s four spinners are very different to England’s. They have two left-arm finger spinners in Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. They have a wrist spinner in Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the greatest spinners of all time,” he added.

The India vs England 5-match test series begins on January 25 in Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The action will then shift to Vishakhapatnam and Rajkot respectively. For the last two fixtures of the series, India and England will head to Ranchi and Dharmshala.

Below is comprehensive details of India vs England test series schedule:

India vs England 5 Match Test Series Schedule

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