England have ‘every chance’ to win India Test series, says Sri Lanka coach Mickey Arthur

Fresh from beating his team 2-0, Sri Lanka coach Mickey Arthur believes England have “every chance of winning” their upcoming Test series against India.

England, with captain Joe Root leading from the front, produced a pair of fine performances to beat Sri Lanka by seven and six wickets respectively in the two Tests in Galle.

They lost both tosses, had minimal build-up and were missing the likes of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, who are back in the squad to face India. The rest of England’s squad travel to Chennai on Wednesday to quarantine for a week, leaving them just three days’ training before the series begins on February 5.

India will welcome back captain Virat Kohli from paternity leave and a host of fit-again bowlers after they pulled off a famous 2-1 win in Australia last week. At home, India pose an even more formidable challenge for England.

But South African Arthur, who bemoaned his own team’s batting performance against England, believes the tourists can spring an upset.

“Look, I thought England have been really good,” he said. “I’ve watched them go about their business, they’ve been very professional.

"I think they’ve got some players in good form, their bowling attack is wonderful, their seam-bowling attack is great.

"We saw good signs for England with [Dom] Bess and [Jack] Leach and Joe Root has batted at another level on this tour.

“So I think England can go to India with every chance of winning that Test series – I think it’ll be a good one.”

Arthur heaped particular praise on Root, who made 228 and 186 in the two first innings, setting up England’s victories.

“Joe Root has been the difference, he’s certainly been the beacon that I’ve always tried to use as an example to our batsmen. I think he’s been quite outstanding,” he said.

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