England Will Beat India 2-1 But Virat Kohli Can Turn The Tables On The Hosts: Peter Trego

Former England domestic cricketer Peter Trego has backed the Joe Root-led home side to beat Team India 2-1 in the upcoming five-match series.

India and England will lock horns in the 5th edition of the Pataudi Trophy from August 04 and the Virat Kohli-led unit will be determined to exorcise the disappointments of the 2018 tour and notch up their maiden Test series win in England since the summer of 2007.

Trego, during an interview with Times of India, reckoned that the result of the series will be determined by how the Indian batters cope with the seam and swing generated by the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

“When England go to India, the question comes up – can England batsmen cope with the spin? And when India tour England then the question is – can the Indian batsmen cope with the swing and seam from James Anderson and Stuart Broad? So, it’s going to be fascinating obviously. If you had a good preparation time in England, they should be sort of acclimatized to the temperature and the conditions, the way the ball moves around a little bit. So, I think it will be close. But my prediction is England will beat India 2-1 in the series,” said Peter Trego.

When asked about the key battles that could decide the fate of the series, Trego reckoned that the tussle between the likes of Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli, and the legendary James Anderson will be extremely crucial.

He also reckoned that the duo of Ashwin and Jadeja will be equally crucial.

“One real battle will be James Anderson vs, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. I think James will target these three wickets. The way he swings the ball both ways is amazing. That’s going to be a real key battle. England bowlers vs Jadeja and Ashwin will be another key battle. Jadeja and Ashwin will also be pretty crucial,” he added.

When asked to pick two Indian players who could prove to be the difference between the two teams, Trego was quick to point out opener Rohit Sharma and skipper Virat Kohli.

Kohli smashed 593 runs during the last tour of England and Trego believes that if the Indian skipper turns up again then the visitors might win their first Test series in England after 14 years.

”Rohit Sharma. If he gets hold of James Anderson, he could be a match-winner. And it goes without saying Virat Kohli is going to be absolutely crucial. If Virat Kohli turns up and he plays well, it’s going to be a very very close series, and my 2-1 England win prediction could be under threat,” said Trego.

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