As individuals, the three players will find this tour extremely important in terms of finding the required form and touch that might help them sustain throughout the busy season ahead.

INDIA’S ENGLAND TOURS

(Starting with the first success)

1971: India’s first overseas Test series win. England were clueless against India’s three-pronged spin attack of Bishan Bedi (11 wickets), B Chandrasekar (13) and S Venkataragahavan (13). And a gentleman by the name Erapalli Prasanna, on the bench was no less a threat. The quartet accounted for 197 of the 244 wickets to fall in the series. A master-class 7 for 73 from John Snow saved England at Lord’s; India ended 38 runs from victory with two wickets in hand. At Old Trafford, it was India’s turn to struggle as rain came to their rescue, finishing on 65 for 3 chasing a target of 420. It was the glorious 173 run chase at The Oval that catapulted Ajit Wadekar’s India to the series win.

England 0 India 1 Drawn 2

1974: The glorious run of early 70’s came to an abrupt end with a shock 0-3 defeat. In the three preceding years, India had won all the three series they contested—two of them abroad. The weather was more formidable a foe than was perceived to be, but certainly not decisive. The English this time around were prepared to take on India’s spinners. At Old Trafford, England won by 113 runs. England scored 629 and then India were bowled out for 42 in a session in their second innings at Lord’s. England also won the final match by an innings.

... contd.