Image Source : GETTY Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli
Former England star Kevin Pietersen feels Virat Kohli taking cost from Ajinkya Rahane, after certainly one of India’s best triumphs, is an “interesting story” that can be mentioned quite a bit all through the upcoming Test sequence between the 2 heavyweights.
The four-match rubber towards England begins right here on Friday, weeks after Rahane led India to an unimaginable come-from-behind Test sequence win in Australia.
Speaking on Star Sports’ present Cricket Connected, Pietersen analysed the necessary storylines forward of the sequence.
“Kohli, Anderson, Ajinkya Rahane, how’s he going to go, being captain in Australia and then coming back and Kohli, how’s that dynamic going to work? It’s going to be a very interesting dynamic… something that is talked about a lot during this series,” he stated.
“Then you’ve got Jofra Archer, can he knock over Pujara? Bumrah’s again.
“There are so many different permutations that could happen in this Test series, but I think there’s going to be a very interesting story that’s going to run through this series — Kohli comes back as captain after Ajinkya Rahane was so good in Australia.”
The 40-year-old Pietersen, who briefly led England throughout his nine-year worldwide profession from 2005 to 2014, had no hesitation in terming India as 100 per cent favourites, extra so with the guests deciding to relaxation just a few key gamers according to their rotation coverage.
“India’s bought expertise at dwelling, they undoubtedly do. They’ve bought Kohli coming again. England has not taken their greatest crew for the primary two Test matches. I feel Johnny Bairstow must be there and I do not suppose he’ll be there.
“India are definitely favourites. 100 per cent they’re the favourites, because England haven’t taken their best team or they’re certainly not starting with their best team.”
While England simply received their final dwelling sequence towards India, Kohli’s facet comprehensively beat them once they have been on this a part of the world final.
With prime gamers from each facet displaying good type in current instances, Pietersen is bound a cracker of a sequence awaits the cricket world.
“I know Joe Root has been outstanding in Sri Lanka, so he’s clearly somebody who’s going to come in with a lot of form. England’s opening batsmen — have they got enough time to turn their techniques around? (Dom) Sibley did well in the last Test match,” he stated.
“Has (Zak) Crawley bought sufficient time to show his approach round? Is Burns going to come back again in? Ben Stokes is there, and he is an absolute tremendous star. Is Anderson going to have the ability to do the enterprise?
“Then, you have got Ashwin, Bumrah, Kohli, Rahane, Pujara, there are too many super stars for me to sit here and pick one player in particular. I just think that it’s going to be a fantastic series – slow wickets, but two great teams,” Pietersen stated on the present.
Former England pacer Dominic Cork is definite that India are going to emerge victorious.
“I think India will win the series. I think England are in a better place now. England just beating Sri Lanka will help and having the likes of Stokes, Archer and Burns back in the squad will help but I still think that India are too strong and will win the series.”
England swept Sri Lanka 2-0 of their earlier away sequence earlier than coming to India.
Cork picked the promising Shubman Gill and in-from Rishabh Pant because the younger stars to be careful for within the sequence.
“We need to put two younger players into the Indian side. Shubman Gill… what a performance against Australia. He’s obviously a talented cricketer, so I am going to pick him,” Cork stated.
“Even though Rishabh Pant, I think he’s got a major force to play in this series, especially with that superb innings in the last Test match to win the series against Australia, but for me, (it) is Shubman Gill, because he is such a superb young player and England will find it tough to get him out.”
