Graeme Swann: I am backing England, if Virat Kohli plays like Joe Root is right now, we are in for a treat, says Graeme Swann | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former England spinner Graeme Swann has picked England as the favourites to win the crucial fifth Test match against India, starting July 1 at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham.
The fifth Test was cancelled last year and had to be rescheduled due to an outbreak of COVID-19 in the Indian camp.
India are leading 2-1 from the series played in August-September last year. Four of the five Tests were played, with one ending in a draw. Many, including England’s Moeen Ali feel that if the series was completed last year itself, India would have won. The current England Test team however is operating at a very high level and have just whitewashed New Zealand, the reigning World Test champions 3-0.
The new captain-coach combination of Ben Stokes and Brendon MCullum have started their stints on a high.
Former captain Joe Root who was the leading run-getter overall when India played 4 of the 5 Tests last summer is still in red hot form. Root scored 396 runs in 6 innings vs the Kiwis in the recently concluded Test series, with two centuries and a fifty and an average of 99.

Joe Root (AP Photo)
“It is quite simple for England, it will be Joe Root and Ben Stokes. If they continue their form, the way they are playing this summer, England will do well. Ben Stokes is leading from the front. He is a natural leader. He enjoys it when the crowd is involved. He is getting confidence from his players. Joe Root is thriving and batting at his absolute best. It is a pleasure to watch him bat,” Swann said in response to a question by TimesofIndia.com during a media interaction.
So what about the Indian team? The last time India went to England and largely dominated the Test series, Virat Kohli was the captain and Ravi Shastri was the coach. Now that combination reads – Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid.
“Rohit is a very different captain. There is a lot of difference in their captaincy styles (Virat and Rohit). He (Rohit) has got titles under his belt at Mumbai Indians. He is a great leader. He knows how to win. Virat is so passionate, wears his heart on his sleeve. He is always fired up. They are different in that aspect. But you still got Virat in the team. He is still gonna be passionate. You will see a different communication with the bowlers. That’s it. I enjoyed India’s performance under Virat. I enjoyed Virat’s captaincy. I enjoyed that competency. Rohit is a bit more relaxed. But still competitive,” Swann said.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma (BCCI Photo)
Swann, who played 60 Tests, 79 ODIs and 39 T20Is for England, taking over 400 international wickets across formats, also feels that Virat Kohli will be one of the key players for the touring Indian team this time. The former captain showed glimpses of returning to much needed form in the warm-up match vs Leicestershire recently.
India are scheduled to also play 3 T20Is and 3 ODIs vs England after the rescheduled fifth Test.
“For India, Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli will be the key players. They are the big names and it is never easy to play against them. If Kohli plays with the same freedom that Joe Root is playing with right now, we all are in for a treat. Virat is a wonderful player. If Bumrah gets his line and length right with the Dukes ball, he is unplayable,” Swann further said.

Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah (AFP Photo)
India have overall won only three Test series in England. A win or a draw in the fifth and final Test would give them their first Test series win on English soil since 2007.
Last year when India were in England, they kicked off the series with a draw at Trent Bridge and then registered a 151 run win in the second Test at the Lord’s. England bounced back from that defeat and went on to win the third Test at Headingley, thrashing India by an innings and 76 runs. But India then took a 2-1 lead by pummeling the Three Lions by 157 runs in the fourth Test at the Kennington Oval.
That 2-1 scoreline might still be relevant in the fifth Test, which will begin things Friday, but can Team India play with the same hunger and aggression and will England be under the same kind of pressure that they were under in their own bakyar last year? Swann doesn’t think so.
“I am backing England. England are in a very good position and I would say they are slight favourites,” the 43 year old Swann, who can be seen on TV these days as a cricket expert, added.
Watch the LIVE coverage of the much anticipated fifth Test between England and India on Sony Sports network