India Have A 'Rare Opportunity' to Beat England, Australia in Away Test Series: Ian Chappell

Former Australia batsman Ian Chappell believes India has somewhat a grand opportunity of beating both England and Australia in away Test series, this year.

Talking about the fact, India subsequently endured a tough time in England and Australia, this decade.

In 2011, they were whitewashed 4-0 by both the teams. Three years later, the margin of defeats decreased but there was no respite for the visitors.

England had thrashed the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side 3-1. A few months later, India lost 2-0 Down Under.

“There’s a rare opportunity beckoning for India. The chance to beat both England and Australia in away Test series,” he wrote in his column for ESPNcricinfo.

However, things have changed drastically in the last couple of years. While Australia and England have shown inconsistent form in the longest format of the game, India has been the most consistent side.

Currently sitting on the perch of ICC’s Test rankings, Virat Kohli and his men have won nine of their last 10 Test series. Many think that the current side can arrest India’s poor overseas record and Chappell believes Kohli led side has a good chance of doing that in 2018.

“England are in a state of flux after a devastating loss at Lord’s. And then a less-than-convincing win over the predictably inconsistent Pakistan at Headingley. Australia’s problems are self-induced, with the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa ensuring their two best batsmen will be missing from the series against India,” he added.

England recently drew their home series against Pakistan by 1-1. They suffered a nine-wicket loss in the first Test at Lord’s, before winning the following game to avoid a humiliating defeat.

On the other hand, Australia will be without David Warner and Steven Smith when they host India later this year. The duo along with Cameron Bancroft is serving the sanction imposed on them. The ban was imposed by Cricket Australia (CA) in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal at Cape Town.

Chappell further gave his views on the problem that have plagued England at the moment.

“A reasonably settled Indian side’s first hurdle is England. They will face that challenge boosted by the confidence that the hosts are no closer to solving the myriad problems that surfaced on their recent tour of Australia and New Zealand,” Chappell wrote.

“England’s top-order collapses are now a regular occurrence. Which is not surprising when both opening positions are under a cloud. If it weren’t for the fact that Alastair Cook’s numerous partners have been under intense scrutiny, Cook himself would be in jeopardy,” he added.

The former Aussie international went on to say that England’s middle-order is far from being settled.

“[Joe] Root is followed by Dawid Malan, who is unconvincing at No. 4. And Jonny Bairstow, whose presence at five would be more palatable. If he conceded the gloves to Buttler and played solely as a front-line batsman. All this adds up to a lot of uncertainty for a team about to enter a tough series against a strong opponent,” he opined.

Ian Chappell is also not convinced by England’s bowling firepower:

“Apart from the openers’ batting, England’s other major problem on the tour of Australia and New Zealand was that the pace attack comprised all right-arm bowlers of similar speed. Their inability to unearth a genuine pace bowler is a greater problem when they are overseas. But if the late UK summer is hot and dry, they will also need someone who can shake things up on home pitches in an attempt to dramatically change the course of a game,” Chappell remarked.

“In recent times, England have relied on swing bowling and a vibrant middle order to produce success at home. There is no doubt that the swing bowling of Jimmy Anderson will present the Indian line-up with a serious challenge. And if there’s movement off the seam, Stuart Broad will also be a handful. Nevertheless, India have the stronger batting line-up of the two teams. And their variety in the attack could help negate England’s middle-order strength if the openers continue to fail,” he wrote.

India will play five Tests in England. Prior to that, they will play three T20Is and as many ODIs against the hosts.