Expecting a very tight battle between India and England: Alastair Cook

England have not had a decent run of late. They lost to India in India, losing out an opportunity to play the World Test Championship final, and recently found themselves at the wrong end of result against New Zealand too.

Their next big assignment will be against India in a five-match Test series. Though, former England captain Alastair Cook thinks that England will be better prepared against Virat Kohli’s men.

"It (England) will be a better side with the players coming back against India. They'll clearly be better balanced which, I think, is a massive issue for them and forced some strange selections against New Zealand, like no spinner on a dry wicket. India have shown how good they are at the moment because they're in the World Test Championship final but, over five Test matches in England, England are hard to beat at home, and I'm expecting a very tight battle," Cook told ESPNCricinfo.

Cook, who has been one of the most successful Test batsmen for England, opined that India may find it difficult to remain mentally fresh by the end of the year.

"India would have been here for a long time as well so could get mentally fatigued by the end of the tour. India will start pretty well but, consistently over five games, to beat England at home is a monumental effort. So I think if England hang in with India early on, there's no reason why they can't win," he concluded.