Indians are all set mentally and physically to vie with England, who have subjected them to utter shame with a 4-0 clean sweep in the earlier bilateral test series, and make them suffer the same fate at their hometown. The atmosphere smells of redemption and the Indian cricket team is confident that they would avenge the shame they have been put through. But does the history speak in the same lines?

History is blue for the India team at the Sardar Patel Stadium. Indian team would be hoping to end the seven year abeyance after their last win against Sri Lanka in 2005, a crushing defeat of 259 runs for the visitors. Following this game they lost several matches on the pitch.

In all since the stadium was approved for test games in 1983 when West Indies partcipated in the debut match against the Emerald Islanders, India has played eleven matches while it won only three of them. The victories, consecutive in 1994 and 1996, were also against Sri Lanka

However, a litte but significant part of the history has been relaid; the pitch. This might change everything as the pitch was completely revamped and laid only before the monsoon. The newer pitch has lower percentages of clay which was reduced to 55% from the 75% earlier, according to sources from Gujarat Cricket Association.

Though there are doubts that the pitch may not last for a five day game as it is dry to the core and would favor spinners more. "It's a five-day wicket, but ultimately the duration of any game depends on how the teams play on it. There would be some carry and movement in the initial stages," sources from GCA  mentioned.

We will have to see how it goes for India, in their match where they would lock horns in a cold blooded battle with England at Montera, Ahmedabad.

The first test in the series would start from Thursday, tomorrow, November 15 to November 19 09:30 am IST.

India vs England Live
Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad

(AW- Anil)