If there was a cricketing equivalent of a cinematic blockbuster to keep you on the edge of your seat this summer, it’s England hosting India in an epic Test series. Best grab the popcorn.

All five Tests are exclusively live on Sky Sports, plus you can follow every sensational six, match-changing wicket and nervy run-chase on the go with the Sky Sports app. Howzat for keeping up to speed with the action?

It’s all set to be an unmissable summer of cricket, as two of the best teams in the world lock horns. Want to know more about the upcoming series before the first Test starts at Trent Bridge? Read on to get clued up with our essential guide, including all the key dates…

England have a point to prove

It wouldn’t be the England cricket team if there wasn’t some kind of existential issue lurking menacingly in the background. This week it’s the fact they’ve lost their last two Test series, with defeats coming against India and New Zealand respectively. Lose to India again this summer and it will be the first time since 2009 they’ve been defeated in three consecutive Test series. Gulp.

The teams played a Test series in India earlier this year

Not that England want reminding. Despite winning the first match in Chennai thanks to the magic bowling of James Anderson, Joe Root’s men were well beaten in the next three Tests. It was a far from happy series for the tourists, with sharp criticism aimed at Root for chopping and changing his team repeatedly. Don’t expect so much tinkering this time from the skipper.

England is not India’s happy place

You’d have to go back to 2007 for the last time India won a Test series on English soil – and that was their first in 21 years. Three series defeats in England have come since then, with some pretty heavy losses thrown in for good measure. But, as you may have noticed, these are strange times we’re living in. If India were to end their poor record, to do it in 2021 would be more than fitting.

India’s batting attack is majestic

The tourists currently have three players in the top ten of the ICC Test Batting Rankings: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant. India’s batsmen made hay against England in the Test series earlier this year, but that was on their own patch. How will they handle English conditions, with pace bowling taking precedence over spin? Should they get to grips with the pitches early it could be a long summer for England…

When is England and India’s Test series on TV?

From the first match to the last, here is when you can follow the action exclusively live on Sky Sports…

First Test (Trent Bridge)

From Wednesday 4 August, 10am, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Second Test (Lord’s)

From Thursday 12 August, 10am, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Third Test (Headingley)

From Wednesday 25 August, 10am, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Fourth Test (The Oval)

From Thursday 2 September, 10am, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Fifth Test (Old Trafford)

From Friday 10 September, 10am, Sky Sports Cricket/HD (CH 514/504)

Watch on the go

Virgin TV customers who subscribe to Sky Sports can watch on the go with the Sky Sports app. Not only will you be able to take your Sky packages with you, but you get in-depth sports coverage, as well as exclusive videos and interviews. On iPad and Android tablets you can also access Sky Sports’ cutting-edge second-screen functions. Download from the Apple app store for iPad or iPhone, or from Google Play.

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