Fletcher wants 2011 drubbing avenged
Coach Duncan Fletcher is determine to avenge 2011's four-nil series defeat, when India's five Tests against England get underway next month.
Coach Duncan Fletcher is determine to avenge 2011's four-nil series defeat, when India's five Tests against England get underway next month.
The Indians will take a relatively new-look squad to the United Kingdom this time, sans the services of the retired Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman – and dropped Virender Sehwag.
The uncapped Ishwar Pandey, Pankaj Singh and Stuart Binny, meanwhile, have been called up.The talented Wriddhiman Saha, who has not played Test match cricket since January 2012, has been included too.
"Obviously it was disappointing. The four-nil loss to England was not easy to take. It is difficult to tour England with a young side, but sometimes it results in an advantage," said Fletcher.
"You go out there and play some good cricket – and you learn from there and I hope we can do that. I think it's important to win a match early on in the series. It will give us the confidence that we can win the series. And you never know what the end result will be after that."
The England squad has also seen a string of change. Batsman Kevin Pietersen has been deemed surplus to requirement, spinner Graeme Swann has quit international cricket, new coach Peter Moores has been hired – and batting coach Graham Gooch has been fired.
"I think England have lost some crucial players. The loss of Pietersen has been a huge blow to them. And looking at them, they are in a rebuilding phase as well, so that's going to make the series quite interesting," added Fletcher.
"They have got James Anderson and Stuart Broad, who have been bowling well and picking up wickets. We will focus on going there and producing as good cricket as we can. We have done that in India and we will look forward to adapt to the conditions as quickly as possible and will look to put them under pressure."
The first Test will start at Trent Bridge on 9 July. Lord's, the Rose Bowl, Old Trafford and The Oval will host Tests two, three, four and five respectively. Five ODIs and a one-off Twenty20 International will follow.
Latest
-
News
England Women wrap up 4-1 series victory in New Zealand
Heather Knight top-scored with 35 in England’s chase of 137.
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.