Indian captain Rohit Sharma is not assuming that the team's home dominance at home will guarantee success in the upcoming Test series against England. In the pre-series press conference, Rohit made it clear that despite their impressive record in home Test series for over a decade, the Indian team does not consider themselves 'unbeatable.' The 35-year-old stressed the importance of consistency to sustain positive outcomes.
Highlighting the significance of the Cape Town victory against South Africa, the captain acknowledged that the conditions for the first Test in Hyderabad will be markedly different. Despite this, the Indian team draws confidence from their recent seven-wicket triumph against South Africa.
"I don't think we are unbeatable. We don't want to think like that. But whatever past records that we have over the last decade or so, do not guarantee that we will come out on top in this series. We have to play well to win this series," Rohit said during his pre-match press meet on January 25.
"The Cape Town win was good but this match is in Hyderabad. It is different conditions, different opposition. But yeah, that win has given us a lot of confidence and we can take that into this series," Rohit added.
India have solidified its position as a formidable team on home soil, maintaining an unbeaten record in Test series for the past 12 years. The last Test series defeat for India occurred in 2012 when they lost 1-2 against Alastair Cook-led team. Since then, India have triumphed in 15 consecutive Test series.
Although India couldn't secure victory in the 'final frontier' and settled for a 1-1 draw against South Africa in January, the team has extended its dominance to overseas conditions as well.
Overseas teams have found winning in India to be a formidable challenge, as the hosts have transformed their home ground into an impregnable fortress. In the 48 Tests played in India since 2013, India have won 38 matches and lost only three (against Australia in 2017 and 2023, and against England in the 1st Test in Chennai in 2021).
The first Test match is scheduled to take place at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on January 25.
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