New Delhi: Last time India played five-Test series was 12 years ago and India are still searching for an overseas win under MS Dhoni since 2011. The memory of whitewash by England in 2011 is still fresh but may not be haunting Team India as England suffered a series defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka after a pathetic Ashes series in Australia.
So past performances are just statistics for a new look team which takes on England at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.
The MS Dhoni-led side has maintained a low profile ever since they have landed here. For Dhoni this is a perfect opportunity to turn things around as England seem to be a shaky side.
With Gautam Gambhir back in the team, Dhoni opening options at the top. But Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay might get the nod of the skipper as they had the experience of opening in the previous two overseas Test series. Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli will occupy No 3 and No 4 spot respectively. Ajinkya Rahane at No 5. Rohit Sharma might have to warm the bench if Dhoni opts for five bowlers.
However compare to India's much famed batting line up, the bowling does not look as solid as it should be. Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are certainties in the pace department and so does Ravindra Jadeja.
There is a good chance of Stuart Binny quizzing in If at all India opt to pick a fifth bowler as his bowling performance in seaming and swinging conditions in Bangladesh is still fresh.
India's record in the first Test overseas hasn't been impressive either. And if we look at starts in England in particular, India have started with a loss in 13 of the 16 Tests, winning one and the remaining two ending in draws.
Despite numbers not in their favour, this young Indian team will be eager to push England who are yet to find their feet.
Despite the loss to Lanka, it was expected that they would give another chance to Alastair Cook and his new look side. Hence the overall squad is pretty much the same except for the inclusion of Ben Stokes. Against Lanka, the batsmen showed their mettle in patches and it will be about a collective performance to shine through.
If there's anything that looks settled in the English camp, it is their bowling. James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Liam Plunkett are formidable trio.
Both Alastair Cook and MS Dhoni have come under criticism for their defensive captaincy. It's Cook who will be under more pressure as the runs haven't been coming for him as well.
Team from:
India: MS Dhoni (c&wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Gautam Gambhir, Varun Aaron, Pankaj Singh, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishwar Pandey, Stuart Binny, Mohammed Shami.
England: Alastair Cook (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Chris Jordan, Liam Plunkett, Matt Prior (wk), Sam Robson, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Jos Buttler.
