However, it should be mentioned that apart from defeating minnows Bangladesh on the recent tour, the Indians have had faced a miserable time on overseas tours, including the recent World Cup in the West Indies.

Dravid doesn’t waste a moment, recalling the Test victories in West Indies and South Africa last year. But the Indians have deflated as a team. Tendulkar has faced questions over his form and fitness — in his last 17 Test innings, the Mumbai batsman has a mere 598 runs to his credit of which two centuries have come against Bangladesh. In fact, if the tour of Bangladesh has to be ignored, Tendulkar has a mere 324 runs in the last 13 Test innings.

Dravid himself has been on a low as far as getting runs are concerned in one-dayers. In Tests, the skipper showed top form with a couple of valuable knocks which he will be looking to remain consistent with. Dravid’s captaincy until now has been a matter of national debate across the country, especially during the World Cup. The upcoming tours will only add to his burden given a missing coach and lack of substantial success.

Ganguly’s two half centuries in South Africa last November were his only Test appearances since he made a comeback and the left-hander is waiting for a couple of opportunities before he can start collecting big runs once again. “Sourav has been scoring well and there’ll be a good opportunity for him to count on his England experience. This tour should give him a good reason to repeat those efforts,” says Dravid.

... contd.