Virat Kohli has made India a tough side: Nasser Hussain

A little more than a week from now India will host England in the first match of the Four-Test series. Both teams are coming off a win in foreign conditions. While England beat Sri Lanka 2-0, India managed to create a highly unlikely upset by trumping Australia 2-1.

Recent results and the kind of talent the two teams possess have already got the experts talking about the series with former England captain Nasser Hussain terming India as a tough side.

Hussain thinks that under captain Virat Kohli, India have transformed into a team which cannot be bullied by adversities, be it on field or off it.

Chennai-born Hussain also credited India for putting up an outstanding show in Australia despite the absence of some of their key players. Talking on Sky Sports, Hussain cautioned England about having a tough outing in India.

"Any side that can go to Australia, go 1-0 down after being bowled out for 36, lose Kohli because he's going home on paternity leave, lose your bowling attack and still come back and win after some of the stuff that went on off the field in Australia, they won't be bullied," he told Sky Sports.

"They (India) are a tough side. I think Kohli has instilled that. Make no mistake, at home, they are a formidable outfit."

Hussain thinks that the recent series win against Sri Lanka will do a world of good to the England side.

"That's a really good sign that they're doing that, with harder tasks ahead. The Ashes, India home and away, New Zealand confirmed, but that is great momentum and confidence going into an iconic series which is India away," he said.

Earlier Hussain had objected to England resting Jonny Bairstow for the first two Tests of the series. "I was brought up in India and I've always seen India vs England as one of the great series - all I would have asked is turn up to Chennai with your best 13 to 15 players.

"I think England fans have earned the right for their best team to be there that first day. If it means (Stuart) Broad and (James) Anderson playing together because it's a bit green, worry about the Ashes down the line," he concluded.