Why have India struggled in England?

Tough test ahead

- Somshuvra Laha

[e-mail] KOLKATA: Don't let the euphoria of the previous drawn tour of England create any hype: India's overall record is still dismal. In the four tours of England since 2011, India have lost 13 out of 19 Tests, winning just 4, marginally worse than their record in Australia during the same time — 5 wins and 11 defeats in 21 matches.

Since series results give a better context, England seem more daunting than Australia where India have won in 2018-19 and 2020-21, curiously because of the draws (5 overall, compared to 2 in England) in Sydney on both tours. England hasn't witnessed any such resilience from India.

Which is why when you take away the 2-2 draw in the 2021-22 tour, the rest have resulted in resounding defeats — 0-4 in 2011, 1-3 in 2014 and 1-4 in 2018.

England isn't as imposing as Australia or South Africa as a destination. More inexplicable is the contrasting performance of a team that seemed to be on a roll in Australia and even came close to winning a series in South Africa where both bounce and seam can be discomforting.

Not to forget, India have been playing five-Test series in England for the past three tours, giving them ample time to get used to the conditions, however inclement, with the advantage of very little travel and the Dukes ball which, with its pronounced hand-stitched seam and generous seam movement, is pretty similar to the SG balls widely used in India. And yet, the results haven't been comforting. Why?