Virat Kohli's key men who England must watch out for in India...
Sunday 6 November 2016 00:15, UK
England cross the border from Bangladesh into India knowing the upcoming tour may prove to be their most demanding yet.
It is England's first five Test series in India since 1984-85, and all five will be played in just six weeks, starting with Wednesday's first Test from Rajkot, live on Sky Sports 2 from 3.30am.
After their embarrassing collapse in Dhaka, the tourists' under-pressure batsmen will be expecting another trial by spin against an Indian side that tops the ICC team rankings.
India's recent home record is also ominous for Alastair Cook's side. They haven't lost a Test on home soil since England's famous series win in 2012-13. In that time they've won 12 out of 13, the other drawn, winning four series, including the recent whitewash of New Zealand.
So who should England be watching out for?
Ajinkya Rahane
You'd be forgiven for thinking skipper Virat Kohli would be the highest-rated Indian batsman in the side, but it's Ajinkya Rahane who sits at six in the current ICC Test rankings.
The fact that Rahane is India's No 5 shows the serious depth of talent in their batting line-up. A top-order batsman who lurks in the hosts' middle-order, he averages 51 in Tests, plundering eight centuries and nine fifties. Only Joe Root will start the series with a higher average than the right-hander, who is also his side's vice-captain.
Rahane is also an excellent slip fielder off both seam and spin bowling. He holds the record for the most catches by a fielder in a match, grasping eight against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2015. If England's struggles against spin continue, Rahane could have a huge impact in the field as well as with the bat.
Wriddhiman Saha
It can't be an easy task replacing one of your country's greatest players, but the way Wriddhiman Saha has quietly filled the shoes vacated by MS Dhoni's Test retirement has been very impressive.
Saha made his debut way back in 2010 as a specialist batsman against South Africa but only managed two more appearances before Dhoni's departure during India's series defeat in Australia in 2014-15.
Since then the 32-year-old has appeared in 15 Tests, scoring his maiden century and four fifties at an average of 35.75. Perhaps due to his extended run in the side, this year has undoubtedly been the right-hander's best yet, striking 317 runs with the bat to average over 63 from his seven innings.
Primarily in the side as a wicket-keeper, Saha is a natural gloveman behind the stumps. His lightning-fast hands have accounted for seven stumping dismissals along with 25 catches.
Ravichandran Ashwin
Who else? You didn't think we had forgotten him, did you? All eyes will be on Ravichandran Ashwin as he steps up to bowl against an England side whose scars from their demise in Dhaka will still be raw.
The off-spinner is currently ranked the best bowler in the world, and claimed career best innings and match figures - 7-59 and 13-140 - in India's latest Test victory over New Zealand. In the same series he became the second-fastest bowler to take 200 wickets, with only the late Australian Clarrie Grimmett outpacing him.
The 30-year-old has the best average of any bowler to have taken over 100 wickets in India, and he seems to be thriving under the captaincy of Kohli. In 16 games under his charge, Ashwin has taken 106 wickets at an unbelievable 18.31 average.
Ashwin has also turned himself into a genuine all-rounder. In smashing two centuries earlier this year against the West Indies he took his career tally to four, at a solid-looking average of 33.55.
Watch the first Test between India and England live on Sky Sports 2, online and via mobile and selected tablet devices from Wednesday 9th November from 3.30am.
