England vs India: 1st Test, August 4, 2021, India Tour of England Match Prediction

Match Predictions

It’s the start of a mega five-match Test series between two of the heavyweights of world cricket. England and India square off for the second time in a Test series in 2021. India had won the rubber 3-1 earlier this year in India.

England have been quite inconsistent in Test cricket this year. After winning four successive series (beating South Africa and Sri Lanka away and West Indies and Pakistan at home), England have lost back-to-back series. They went down 1-3 against India in India despite being 1-0 up after the first Test. They lost to New Zealand 0-1 at home at the start of this home season. However, England haven’t been at full-strength for a while in Test cricket. They have the entire squad, sans Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer available for the first two Test matches. England have been very successful at home and that series loss to New Zealand was their first Test series defeat at home since July 2014. England’s top three batting will be a cause of concern as they have been highly inconsistent and fragile. Meanwhile, the bowling is sorted and will pose a massive threat once again.

India’s form in Test cricket has been top-notch. Be it home or away, they have been in superb form. The loss to New Zealand in the World Test Championship (WTC) was a bit of a dampener to what has been a magnificent run in the last 30 months. They beat Australia in Australia twice. West Indies were annihilated in their own den. South Africa, Bangladesh and England got a taste of how dominant and strong India are at home. New Zealand was the only team to beat India in a series and also in that WTC Final. Now, Virat Kohli and his men look to conquer England for the first time in 14 years. Their last Test series win in England came back in 2007 under Rahul Dravid’s captaincy. India seem to have all bases covered but their batting has been their problem when they travel abroad. The bowling is strong and Virat Kohli and co are actually spoilt for choice.

Thus, it promises to be a very closely contested series. However, given England’s strength at home and India’s missing the key moments, England are likely to start as favourites. However, don’t count Virat Kohli and co out as they will put up a fight.

Summary

England and India have squared off as many as 126 times in Test cricket. England are well ahead with 48 wins while India have won 29 games and 49 of them have ended in a draw. However, in England, India haven’t been the most successful side. They have won a mere seven games, four of which have come in the 21^st century and only two in the 2010s. England have won as many as 34 games at home against India.