Mahela Jayawardene thinks England are better prepared for India

India are a difficult country to tour, particularly for teams from outside the subcontinent. In the last few years, the difficulty level has gone a few notches higher. Their recent victory in Australia has already sounded the warning bell for England who are scheduled to kick off their campaign from next month.

Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene, though, thinks that England are better prepared this time around to tackle the Indian challenge.

Jayawardene opined that England will be buoyed with the return of their regulars – vice captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Jofra Archer.

"Getting Ben Stokes back will be a massive advantage for England because he will bring that experience and be another left-handed batsman in their top-order which can be crucial," Jayawardene told Sky Sports.

"Jofra Archer will bring something to the table with his pace, especially on slower wickets. So, I think overall they are very well prepared," he said.

Both these players were not part of the England team that recently beat Sri Lanka 2-0 in the Test series.

"I think that's going to be a very exciting series and a very good challenge for this group of players. That's what cricket is all about. You need to go away and win the Test series," the former Sri Lanka cricketer added.

Jayawardene also added that it will be a difficult ask for the English spinners to bowl to Indian batters in their home conditions.

"The two spinners (Bess and Leach) will have learned a lot here but it will be a bigger challenge in India."

Opener Rory Burns has also been called for the India assignment but it won't be easy for him to be battle-ready for international cricket, according to the Sri Lankan.

And much like a few other former cricketers, even Mahela did not approve the move of dropping Jonny Bairstow for the first two matches of the Test series. The Sri Lankan great is of the belief that with his experience and ability, Bairstow should have been a part of the touring party for such a big series.