Dravid backs India to shade England

Batting great Rahul Dravid reckons India will prevail over England 3-2 in this summer’s away Test series and calls it the visitors’ “best chance” to win in the UK since 2007.

Dravid was the last Indian captain to win a Test series in England.

“I really do think India have a very good chance this time,” Dravid said during a webinar, according to ESPNcricinfo.

Interesting sub-plot

Dravid, who is now the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, said R. Ashwin versus Ben Stokes could form an “interesting subplot” to what is expected to be an intriguing series.

“There’s no question about their (England’s) bowling. Whatever bowling attack England put on the park, especially their seam-bowling attack, is going to be fantastic. They have a lot of players to pick and choose from and that’s going to be terrific.

“But if you look at their top six or top seven, you really think of one great batsman, a world-class batsman who is Joe Root.

“Obviously, Ben Stokes is another one, who is a good all-rounder, but for some reason Ashwin seems to do well against him. And that should be an interesting contest. I know he’s done well against him (Stokes) in India, but it’ll still be an interesting subplot to the series.

“… But I just think India will be well-prepared, have the confidence from Australia, there’s lot of belief in the squad. There’s a lot of experience in the batting order this time around, so this is probably our best chance, maybe say 3-2 to India,” Dravid said.

Lot of time

The former captain said India, to its advantage, will get a lot of time to prepare there for the rubber.

“I think India will play really well in England this time,” Dravid said.

“It’s a great opportunity we’ve got. After the WTC final, they’re going to be in England for a whole month before the Test series starts. I don’t think any team has had that kind of time to prepare for a Test series as India will have this time, so that surely should be a great advantage.

“In England, if there’s one thing you’ve always got to respect, it’s the conditions.

“To some extent you sort of get the feeling (as batsmen) that you’re never set. Even if you’re set and you get a good start, batting on 30, 40, 50, things can change very quickly, the weather can change, the ball can swing even after it’s 40-50 overs old,” Dravid observed.