The England-India Test series is one of the most anticipated series this year. England are a brute force at home, but they've lost a bit of venom following the retirement of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Injuries to Jofra Archer and Mark Wood mean that England will have to field a relatively inexperienced bowling attack.

India, on the other hand, will be without Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin, who are retired from the format. Mohammed Shami wasn't picked due to fitness concerns, while Jasprit Bumrah was confirmed to miss at least two matches. Both teams have their flaws to deal with; thus, the series should be fairly competitive.

R Ashwin's Bold Predictions

Ahead of the first Test, R Ashwin made bold predictions about the series. Ashwin backed England pacer Chris Woakes to emerge as the leading wicket-taker during the series. For India, he put his weight behind Mohammed Siraj.

"If Chris Woakes plays all five matches, I would say he would be the leading wicket-taker of the series, or maybe even Shoaib Bashir. From India, since Bumrah will not play all matches, I think Siraj will be the leading wicket-taker," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

The 38-year-old also picked Rishabh Pant as the leading run scorer of the series. Ashwin initially backed KL Rahul to be the leading run scorer, but changed his mind as he felt that Rahul could have a few low scores as he will be opening the batting. Ashwin also said it's hard to look ahead of Joe Root as England's leading run scorer.

"Have to go with KL Rahul as the leading run-scorer, but because he is opening the batting, he might have a few first innings glitches. So, I will go with Rishabh Pant instead. Rishabh can only get himself out. Can't look past Joe Root for England, while Ben Duckett is also a good shout," Ashwin added.

Ashwin further said if England make flat pitches for the series, India will have a good chance of winning; however, if the pitches have a bit of life, England will have an advantage.

"If England go the route of high-scoring games with flat pitches, with Kuldeep Yadav and this Indian batting line up, and trying to get Shoaib Bashir to knock over Indian batters who are fine players of spin, India have a great chance. But, if the play in pitches with a bit of life, I think the Indian quicks will be in play, and the Indian batters will be tested. That gives England a better chance," Ashwin opined.

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