Alastair Cook and Joe Root key to England's fortunes says India cricket coach Anil Kumble

Team India's head coach Anil Kumble has picked England Test skipper Alastair Cook and batsman Joe Root as the two players that the Men in Blue will have to watch out for, ahead of the first Test at Rajkot that begins on 9 November. Kumble who has had a successful start to his tenure as coach, singled out the duo, claiming that India will need to deal with them if they are to avenge the 2-1 defeat they suffered four years ago.

Cook, who was captain during the 2012/13 series had a brilliant run with the bat in the subcontinent scoring 562 runs in four games, averaging 80.28 with three centuries to his name. In fact, the England skipper topped the run charts and his performances were key to England's triumph.

"England have a quality side. Alastair Cook has been there on a number of occasions, and that's obviously something we'll be looking at. Then there's Joe Root. Their bowling line-up has troubled us in the past too", the bowling legend said, as quoted by DailyMail.

However, Kumble claimed that the past results were no good in the current situation and said that they would have no relevance when the five-match Test series begins.

"You can look at history and look at the series the way you want to. But it's a totally different England team that's here. For us, what's important is that we've been playing Test cricket, seven matches in a row and we've seen the development," the India coach said.

The series against England is part of a thirteen-match summer campaign for hosts India, who would face Bangladesh and Australia next. While the subcontinent giants will play only one Test against Bangladesh they are scheduled to play four Tests against the team from Down Under.

India are currently the number one ranked Test team in the world with 115 points, six ahead of arch-rivals Pakistan who have 109 points to their name.