The battle has already begun! India versus England in Indian subcontinent will be a feast for all the cricket lovers all around the world. This historic five-Test match series won’t be just any other series now as India and England have become big rivals and they will be playing each other to get advantage over one another.

The last test match series was played between the two nations in England where home team won the series by 3-1.

However, this is the first time since 1984-85 a five-Test match series is played between India and England in Indian sub-continent. The previous results won’t matter as different conditions will give different challenges. Indian team will be itching to get their hands on the already wounded prides of English players and tame them for the whole series. This contest will be a hard fought one and one that will make or break players.

Here are the Indian players to watch out in the series:

Virat Kohli: Hands down, Virat Kohli is the best player to lead India into this series. He has that aggression, passion, brain, quickness, agility, hunger and desire to win. He has all arsenals in his side and will use it smartly and aggressively. But what’s required more than anything is Virat Kohli, the batsman. He averages 47.17 in 32 innings played in the Indian sub-continent but when it comes to England, he hasn’t been that effective. In 17 innings, he made 322 runs with just one hundred (103 Best vs. England), averaging as low as 20.12. But Virat Kohli is a fighter and he will prove his mantle sooner than later. Watch out for him.

Cheteshwar Pujara: He is one of the batsmen who have made runs all over the world. His technique is solid and he makes his opportunity counts. In total of 17 innings that he played against England, he has made 660 runs with highest score of 206* averaging 44.00, which is lower as compared to his overall average of 66.21 in Indian sub-continent. He will be looking to correct some older mistakes He is very consistent and a reliable source of runs.

Ravichandran Ashwin: The master of Indian conditions, king of variation, the legend in making, the aggressive off-spinner, the traumatizer – Ravichandran Ashwin. Oh yes, he is that good and he has been playing some excellent cricket for past some years. He has found his mojo back under the leadership of Virat Kohli. The Captain uses him as a wicket taking option and he delivers most often than not. He has played 43 innings, taking 153 wickets with best of 7/59 Vs. NZ, with an impressive average of 20.37 and a good economy of 2.78 in Indian sub-continent. But he hasn’t been a fruitful bowler against England. In 10 matches he has taken only 17 wickets with 49.29 average and 3.07 economy rate. He has not been able to take a 5-fer against England as of now. Experienced and a year older, he will be itching to show his world class off spin as well as his classy technique as a batsman.

Mohammed Shami: India have not been able to produce a genuine fast bowler who can bowl reverse swing with control since retirement of Zaheer khan. But Mohammed Shami has slowly but surely made his place in the Indian Test squad. The Captain has faith in his abilities and he will be given the responsibility to take new and the old ball alike. With Ishant Sharma back from injury, India will rely more upon Shami. He has the pace and the control. He can produce some magic in the coming series. It will be a hectic and tiring series for him but he can change the course of the game with just one good spell of swing bowling.