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I will put my money on England against India, says Steyn

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Press Trust of India Mumbai
Last Updated : Jul 26 2018 | 5:20 PM IST

South African pace great Dale Steyn today said the Virat Kohli-led India is "capable of anything" but still backed England to prevail in the upcoming Test series owing to the home team's more "skilled" bowling attack.

"I don't like any predictions. The advantage probably lies with England, obviously being at home and with such a long tour. It tends to become very long. They have been there for ODIs and are a very good touring team now. (But) if I put my money, I will probably put it on England," Steyn said.

The five-match series starts with the first Test in Birmingham from August 1.

"Led by Virat this Indian team is capable of anything. I know Virat pretty well; he's quite a determined character. Five Test matches are going to be good for one team and if one team gets on a roll the other team will be blown away.

"(But) it's going to be a hard-fought Test series. The England bowlers are a little bit more skilled and that's where the difference will be, that will be the
"If the ball swings they (England seamers) are going to play a massive role but if it doesn't swing then how are they going to get someone like Kohli or Shikhar (Dhawan), who opens the batting, and K L Rahul (out)?
"They played well in South Africa, which I consider is the hardest place to play cricket. They came to South Africa and just got better. It could be true in England too."
"I think it's (weather in England) massively dry. It's going to be a lot of runs. But they are conditions that England are used to. Home series generally goes away with home sides."
Asked about Cheteshwar Pujara, who hasn't been doing great of late, he said, "One thing I know about Pujara is that he likes to bat for long hours. If the wickets are flat in England, India are going to have that source on whom they can rely on. He can bat long for them and it will be tough for England to get him out."

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First Published: Jul 26 2018 | 5:20 PM IST

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