ENG vs IND: Strengths And Weaknesses, India Against England Test Series

India and England begin a five-Test match series at Trent Bridge here on Wednesday. Here is a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the two teams. England's strengths: Home conditions: England a

Missing Ben Stokes: Ben Stokes is a player, who has turned around matches for England with crucial wickets and innings. In the first Test on the 2018 tour, he got skipper Virat Kohli on 51 when he looked like taking India home. England mopped up the tail after Kohli and won the first Test by 31 runs to take advantage.

Spin attack: Compared to Indian spin trio R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, the English spin duo Jack Leach and Dom Bess isn't that acclaimed or experienced. Patel is the only one inexperienced in the Indian attack. But India can play two spinners in Jadeja and Ashwin but not England.

India's strengths:

Experience in England: India had toured England in 2018 and they have been in the country over two months now having the played the World Test Championship final and a few intra-squad matches. They are better prepared this time than they were on each of the previous three tours.

Well-rounded bowling: India have multiple pace bowling options. The emergence of Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur has added to the riches. There is youth as well experience in the likes of Ishant Sharma who was the star of the Lord's Test in 2014. Mohammed Shami too has toured England before. The spin attack is better than England.

India's weaknesses:

Opening conundrum: Injuries have ruled out three players including opener Shubman Gill. His replacement Prithvi Shaw is yet to reach England. That leaves India with KL Rahul as the only option to open with Rohit Sharma. Hanuma Vihari is another player who can be tried at the top. However, the Indian team remains worried over it.

Middle-order muddle: The middle order comprising Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane will have to shoulder most of the responsibility due to the fragile opening batting. However, both Pujara and Rahane have been struggling for runs which has put a lot of pressure on Kohli.

Lack of seam bowling all-rounder: A seam bowling all-rounder is crucial in England if the team has to strike balance. England have multiple options even without Stokes. However, India are struggling on that count as they are missing Hardik Pandya. They may end up playing Shardul Thakur.