We Have a Very Good Opportunity of Defeating England in Tests: Cheteshwar Pujara

Team India Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara believes India has a good chance of overcoming England in the upcoming five-match Test series, starting in August, this year.

Moreover, the last two tours of England have been nothing less than nightmares for the Indian contingent.

In 2011, India had travelled to England as the World No.1 Test side. However, the ranking and reputation made little difference as England inflicted a humiliating 4-0 whitewash upon the then Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side.

Three years later, the margin of the defeat decreased but there was no end to India’s misery as England thrashed them 3-1.

However, many feel India can finally arrest their poor record in England this time around.

The Three Lions have had looked far from convincing in recent times under new skipper Joe Root. They lost the Ashes 4-0 before suffering a 1-0 defeat in New Zealand, this year.

In the recently-concluded series, Pakistan had almost put them on the verge of another series defeat before they managed to draw the series at Headingley (1-1).

Credits: Getty Images.On the other hand, India subsequently becomes a force to reckon with under Virat Kohli’s captaincy.

Currently sitting on the top of the ICC’s Test rankings, Kohli and his men have won nine out of their last 10 Test series.

In the last couple of years, India went on to beat every major Test team convincingly and will enter the series with their confidence sky high.

And Pujara also backed the side to do well this time around. However, he was quick to point out that things can take a big turn in five-Test match series.

Pujara’s comments might have been inspired by the way the series panned out in 2014.  India had taken the lead by winning the second Test after the drawn first Test. However, England had won the remaining three games to clinch the series.

“I believe that we have a very good opportunity but you have to take it one match at a time. A lot can happen in a five-Test series and I think that it’s best that as a team you focus on one match at a time rather than thinking about the entire series and what the outcome may be,” he told Sky Sports.

Pujara further said that preparation is vital for the tough series.

“Another thing that is vital is the preparation. It’s important that we prepare well and then execute our plans. If we do that, then I think we have a very good chance of beating England,” he opined.