"WTC points and series on the line"- Rahul Dravid discusses the challenge India will face against Ben Stokes' side
After completing the five-match T20I series against South Africa, the Indian team will now move to the UK for their next assignment. Notably, a 17-member squad led by Hardik Pandya will travel to Ireland to play two T20Is there on June 26 and June 28. But the Indian Test team will be preparing for their one-off rescheduled Test from last year.
The fifth and final match of the series will start on June 1, which will be followed by three T20Is and three ODIs as well. The Men in Blue will also play a four-day warmup match between June 24 and 27 against Leicestershire.
Ahead of the white-ball series, they will also play two warm-up T20s against Derbyshire on June 1 and Northamptonshire on June 3. However, considering the World Championship, the rescheduled Test is very important for India to be in the race for the finals and to win the series as well.
Ahead of the England tour, Indian head coach Rahul Dravid has shared his view on the importance of the one-off test. Notably, as compared to last year, this time both teams will have a new captain. Rohit Sharma will lead the Indian side, while Ben Stokes will be the captain of England.
The English team has already won the ongoing series with a win in back-to-back matches under Stokes and is playing really aggressive cricket. It would not be wrong to say that this is the start of a new era for them with Stokes and Brendon McCullum as the head coach.
Dravid mentioned that it might be the only Test on the tour but it is very important in terms of India's future in the current WTC cycle and a series win as well. He also said that the boys are excited to do well and win this match to win the series.
The head coach also mentioned that last time England were on the back foot, but now they are playing really good cricket. He said, "It’s probably a bit different to when we were there last year. Hopefully, it will be a good match. [I] love watching Test cricket, love playing it, love coaching it. Looking forward to it."