India: The Untamed Beast of Test Cricket on Home Soil, A Look at the Stats and Records Ahead of IND vs ENG Test

India, the mighty elephant of the sport, is set to lock horns with England, the proud lion, in a five-match Test series on Indian soil, starting 25th January. But before the first ball is bowled, let’s take a look at what makes this encounter so mouthwatering: India’s near-impenetrable fortress at home.

Also Read: Why Rohit Sharma Was Allowed To Bat in 2nd Super Over, Double Super Over Drama in IND vs AFG Explained

For over a decade, India has been an unstoppable force in Test cricket on home turf. It’s like stepping into a different cricketing universe, where the rules seem to bend in their favour. Remember that embarrassing 2-1 loss to England back in 2012? Yeah, that’s history! Since then, it’s been a parade of victories, a symphony of spin-bowling magic, and a masterclass in batting under the scorching Indian sun.

Just look at the numbers: 46 Tests played, a whopping 36 wins, and only 3 losses. That translates to a win percentage of a staggering 78.26%. Even Australia, in their golden years, barely matched this dominance. And guess what? India hasn’t just won matches, they’ve crushed the opposition. 16 consecutive series wins. That’s like climbing Mount Everest.

But what’s the secret sauce? Well, it’s a delicious blend of spin sorcery and top-class batting, served up on spicy pitches. Ashwin and Jadeja, the twin terrors of Indian spin, have spun webs so intricate that even the best batsmen get tangled and trapped. They’ve snagged a combined 594 wickets since 2013, leaving visiting spinners in their dust with a measly 347 scalps.

And then there are the Indian batting titans. Virat Kohli, the king of the willow, has amassed a mountain of runs (3,629) on home soil, averaging a ridiculous 61.50. Pujara, the rock-solid wall, and Rohit Sharma, the flamboyant batsman-artist, have also feasted on visiting bowlers, piling on runs like hungry tigers at a buffet.

Remember England’s batting stars like Bairstow, and Cook? Well, in India, their shine seems to dim. They struggle to decipher the turning tracks, their shots finding fielders instead of boundaries. While some, like Root, have managed decent scores, they pale in comparison to the Indian juggernauts.

So, what can England do to tame this beast? They need a miracle, plain and simple. Their pacers, like Anderson and Stokes, will have to find swing and seam where there seems to be none. Their batsmen will need the patience of saints and the footwork of ballerinas to survive the spin onslaught. And their captain, Ben Stokes, will need the cunning of a fox and the roar of a lion to lead his team through this minefield.

Will England be the first to crack India’s home code in over a decade? Or will the Indian juggernaut continue its reign of terror? Buckle up, cricket fans, because this series promises to be a thriller, a clash of titans, a battle for cricketing supremacy on the spin-drenched battlegrounds of India.

So, who are you rooting for? The mighty elephant or the proud lion?