IND v ENG 2021: “Ashwin the key for India; Root needs to bat well for England to win” - Monty Panesar

The first Test between India and England starts in Chennai from Feb 5.

While the euphoria of India’s stupendous 2-1 Test series win over Australia is yet to come down, England have arrived in Chennai to prepare for the first two of the four Test matches that the two sides will play beginning from February 5 onwards.

England can get motivated from the fact that they were the last international side to have won a Test series in India, a 2-1 result back in 2012-13 in a four-match series. And one of the biggest reasons for that win was the brilliant spin bowling by Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar.

Monty Panesar, who took 17 wickets in that series at an average of 26.82, believes that the opening two Tests in Chennai will set the tone for the series.

"If they manage to win a game in Chennai --- they will get a lot of confidence for the rest of the series. I expect England to put in a good fight against a strong Indian side," Panesar told TOI.

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Panesar, who played 50 Tests, 26 ODIs and 1 T20I for England, feels Dom Bess and Jack Leach should bowl pressure free against the daunting Indian batting lineup.

"In India, bowlers need to have an in-and-out field. You should have fielders at close-in positions as well as in the deep. You have to keep mixing things up and cut down the scoring opportunities for the Indian batsmen which will make them take risks. That's where England bowlers have a chance," the 38-year-old mentioned.

He also singled out R Ashwin as the key for Indian team’s success and said, “Ashwin had a great tour of Australia and will come into the series with tons of confidence. How England play Ashwin will decide the outcome of the series. Ashwin has become smarter with the way he has bowled in recent times and is in prime form.”

"Jadeja will be missed. The second spinner will be crucial for India as Ashwin will need support from the other end to put England under pressure. They have named Axar Patel in the squad but I do believe that Jadeja adds a different dimension to the Indian team," he said.

The first Test in Chennai will also be the 100^th Test for England captain Joe Root and Panesar believes his form will be crucial for England’s fortunes.

"If England are to have a chance of winning this series, Root will have to bat well. He needs to bat for long periods of time just like Alastair Cook did during the 2012-13 series. He has been brilliant in Sri Lanka and I do hope Root continues batting in the same way against India," he said.

(Times of India inputs)