Ben Duckett is exuding confidence ahead of England's five-Test series against India, drawing parallels between his own aggressive approach and that of the legendary Brian Lara. Duckett has declared that he won't back down against Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace spearhead, and believes England has what it takes to win the series.

Duckett's confidence stems from his previous encounters with Bumrah during England's tour of India in the winter of 2024/25. While Bumrah was rested for one Test, he proved exceptional in the series, bagging 19 wickets at an impressive average of 16.89. Duckett, however, managed to score 63 runs off 94 balls against Bumrah, getting dismissed only once after reaching 47.

Speaking to Mail Sport, Duckett stated, "I've faced him in a five-Test series before. I know what he's going to do to me, and the good thing about that is I know what skills he has. There's going to be nothing that surprises me. It's going to be challenging, and the red-ball skills of Mohammed Shami are just as threatening as Bumrah. But if I can get through that opening spell, I feel there are runs to be had."

Duckett's fearless mindset is reminiscent of Brian Lara, who was known for his attacking strokeplay and ability to dominate even the best bowlers. Duckett seems to have adopted a similar approach, refusing to be intimidated by Bumrah's reputation.

Duckett is also optimistic about England's chances in the upcoming series. "India at home is very different to India away," Duckett noted. "It's a side I feel we should beat and we can beat. It'll be a good series." India has a poor record in England, with their last series win dating back to 2007. Since then, they have suffered heavy defeats in 2011, 2014 and 2018, before drawing the series in 2021 and 2022.

Duckett's comments, however, have not been without controversy. Following his remarks about Bumrah, he faced a barrage of criticism on social media and was forced to deactivate his X (formerly Twitter) account. Duckett later defended his comments, clarifying that he never said he would score runs against Bumrah and advised critics to read the article before making assumptions.

Meanwhile, there are some fitness concerns regarding Bumrah. Former New Zealand pacer Shane Bond has suggested that India should not play Bumrah for more than two consecutive Tests during the series to manage his workload and prevent injuries. Bumrah is currently recovering from a back injury that he sustained during India's last Test series against Australia. He is expected to miss the initial matches of the IPL 2025 and will join the Mumbai Indians squad after receiving clearance from the BCCI medical team.

Despite the challenges, Duckett is determined to maintain his aggressive approach and contribute to England's success. The first Test of the series begins on June 20, and the battle between Duckett and Bumrah promises to be a thrilling contest.