India favourites against England in disarray

India favourites against England in disarray - Cricbuzz http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/643...n-disarray …

The last time India toured England for a full five-Test series, in 1959 :

everything that could possibly go wrong did.

India lost all five Tests by comprehensive margins, and their batsmen looked completely

of their depth against England's formidable pace attack, led by the fiery Fred Trueman

the underrated Brian Statham.

In the first Test, which India lost by an innings, star batsman Chandu Borde fractured a finger

facing Trueman and spinner Bapu Nadkarni bruised his left hand;

In the second, during an eight-wicket defeat at Lord's, top scorer Nari Contractor

had a rib broken by a Statham snorter.... :-[

For the first time in their history, with the son of an Indian immigrant :

Raman Subba Row  ...opening for England and adding insult to injury

by scoring 94 against a depleted four-man attack.  ;D

Folks, some irrelevant info 

Raman Subba Row secured Tickets for me and my girl :1983 World Cup at Lord's .

Love that chap :

He was thrilled when India beat us in the FINAL  :-[

English critics were unanimous that India was undeserving of the honour of a full tour.

For the next five decades it was confined to playing three (or occasionally four) Tests

and sharing the summer with another touring team.

It has taken 55 years for India to be deemed worthy once again :

of facing England for a full five Tests.

Indian Test teams have been touring England since 1932 but only three times ;

1971, 1986 and 2007, have they had the better of their hosts in the series -

and two of those were merely 1-0 defeats.

So: is a repeat of 1959 on the cards ?

serious responses only !!

Hints :  :

the cold climate, the green pitches, the speed and swing generated by the English bowlers....

england found some patsies to beat up

No.England totally beat India up last time but this tour should be different. Don't think Anderson and Broad are in the form they were in even a year ago and while Plunkett is very quick and should cause India some problems I don't see England's bowling attack asking any questions the India batting (players like Kohli, Pujara, Dhawan, Dhoni) won't be able to answer. India's real worry, I think, is their seam bowling and whether it can take 20 wickets quickly enough for them to win. I have a feeling they can.