Former England skipper Sir Alastair Cook said that India will have a hard time beating England in their upcoming five-Test series regardless of the hosts' poor form.
After the final of the ICC World Test Championship against New Zealand, Team India will cross swords against hosts England in the five-match Test series. The first Test match starts on August 4 at Trent Bridge followed by the second Test at Lord's on August 12.
The third Test is scheduled to be held at Headingley from August 25 while the fourth Test starts on September 2 at the Oval. The fifth and final Test will be played at Old Trafford from September 10.
In an interaction with ESPNCricinfo, Sir Alastair Cook said that with key players returning to the side, England would be much balanced.
He also added that even though Team India showed how good they are by reaching the final of the World Test Championship but it would be a hard task for them to beat Joe Root-led side at home
"It will be a better side with the players coming back against India. They'll clearly be better balanced which, I think, is a massive issue for them and forced some strange selections against New Zealand, like no spinner on a dry wicket.
“India has shown how good they are at the moment because they're in the World Test Championship final but, over five Test matches in England, England is hard to beat at home, and I'm expecting a very tight battle," Alastair Cook said.
Alastair Cook further said that Team India could be mentally fatigued by the end of the tour. He added that it'll take a monumental effort from Virat Kohli & Co to beat England and be consistent over 5 Test matches.
"India would have been here for a long time as well so could get mentally fatigued by the end of the tour. India will start pretty well but, consistently over five games, to beat England at home is a monumental effort. So I think if England hangs in with India early on, there's no reason why they can't win," he said.
(ESPNCricinfo inputs)
