India-England Series Strategy

Well the series is finally upon us folks- the Pataudi Trophy of 2011.

Some history:
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India have been holders since 2001 and England last won the trophy 15 years ago.
Since 96, when England won 1-0 against India, India have won thrice and drawn twice.
The head to head reads India 5-England 2 and 8 draws. More draws than results.
Let's hope that isn't the case this time.
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Of course, history is immaterial since India and England have changed since they last met in 2008. They are no more middle ranked teams looking for 2nd place.

India is now the No.1 team and England within reach of the top as well and this series will be yet another World Championship Duel.
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We have been blessed to have witnessed 5 World Championship Bouts in the last two years:
SA in Aus 2009
Aus in SA 2009

SA in Ind 2010
Ind in SA 2010

And now India in England 2011

So far in these duels, the No.1 ranked team has won 3 out of 4 and even when it lost has not relinquished its spot as a direct result of the series.
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India have not lost a Test series since August 2008 to SL away and have not lost two Tests in any series since then.

England haven't lost a Test series since Feb 2009 in WI and haven't lost two Tests in a series since July 2008 to South Africa at home.

Right that's enough history. This article is about strategy.

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In 2010, India conceded 300+ first innings score out of 9 Tests bowling first.
Of those, 8 were 350+, 6 were 400+ and 3 were 500+.

Of those 9 Tests, India won 4, drew 3 and lost 2.
However, the Tests they won were extremely hard fought and only extraordinary performances from their peerless batsmen saved the day in each of them.
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So England must look to bat first- plain and simple.
However, merely that will not guarantee victory, since India have scored more 400+ scores than any other team in the last couple of years, batting first or second.

India too should look to bat first since they would want Tendulkar to do away with the record (100th hundred) ASAP so that he can play with more freedom in the rest of the series.

I heard from some fans that England will insert India at Lords- that would be suicide.
Remember Edgbaston 2005 and Brisbane 2002 and what happened in those Tests if England field at Lords after winning the toss.
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My XIs:

India
1. Mukund
Gambhir
Dravid
Tendulkar
Laxman
Raina
Dhoni
Bhajji
Praveen
Zaheer
Ishant

England
1. Strauss
Cook
Trott
KP
Bell
Morgan
Prior
Swann
Broad
Anderson
Tremlett

Can't wait.