#IndiainEngland: Who said what about the first Test?
The much-awaited Test series between England and India kicks off tomorrow at Edgbaston. England will want to give a good account of themselves by defeating the number one ranked team in the world. As cricket fans, around the world, gear up for the exciting encounter, players from both the teams have put forward their views. Here's what the players said.
Views from the dressing room of the visitors
Having lost the last Test series in England (1-3), in 2014, India and captain Virat Kohli are looking to set the record straight. Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane thinks Kuldeep Yadav will be the X-factor in India's bowling attack, having already delivered in the ODIs and T20Is. Rahane added, "For us, we are going to play good cricket rather than thinking about the result".
Virat Kohli is the best player: Ravi Shastri
On Kohli, coach Shastri said, "Look at his record. I don't have to spell out what he has done in the last four years. When you perform in that fashion, you are mentally at a different level...he is the best player in the world."
The home team's point of view
Stuart Broad doesn't believe that Anderson alone will target Virat Kohli. He added in order to attack a world-class batsman one needs a strong unit. Jos Buttler thinks India are an outstanding team and it is "a huge series for everyone involved, there are some great match-ups." James Foster concurs with his views as the pitches and weather condition will decide the series.
Cook lauds India's bowling unit
Former England skipper, Alastair Cook, thinks India have an impressive bowling unit. He said, "India seem to have got a good variety of bowlers, especially pace bowlers, which is probably unusual. They have strength in depth in their pace bowling."
Controversies, weather and timings
The Adil Rashid controversy has shaken things up. On Adil's selection, former captain Michael Vaughan said, it is "a stab in the chest" for county cricket. England legend Geoffrey Boycott backed Vaughan, calling Rashid a "spoilt brat". The weather is expected to be suitable for playing, with humidity being around 63% in Birmingham. The match is expected to start tomorrow at 3:30 PM.
Schedule and venues of the series
The series will witness a historic moment in Test history as England will be playing their 1000th Test match. 1st Test- Edgbaston, Birmingham, August 1-5 2nd Test- Lord's, London, August 9-13 3rd Test- Trent Bridge, Nottingham, August 18-22 4th Test- The Rose Bowl, Southampton, August 30-September 3 5th Test- Kennington Oval, London, September 7-11 All matches will start at 3:30 PM IST.
