Virat Kohli
File photo of India captain Virat Kohli.GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images

South African pace spearhead Dale Steyn has backed England to win the upcoming Test series against India. Although Steyn still believes that Virat Kohli's team is capable of pulling off anything, he still considers England favourites.

"Led by Virat this Indian team is capable of anything. I know Virat pretty well; he's quite a determined character. Five Test matches is going to be good for one team and if one team gets on a roll the other team will be blown away," said Steyn.

'England bowlers are more skilled'

"(But) if I know Virat it's going to be a hard-fought Test series. The England bowlers are a little bit more skilled and that's where the difference will be; that will be the tipping point," the 35-year-old fast bowler told reporters at a promotional event.

Steyn spoke about the Indian bowling attack and said that the team will definitely miss the services of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah. 

"India do rely heavily on their spinners and they do a great job in one-day cricket. At the moment the wickets are pretty flat (in England) and there hasn't been a lot of turns, especially in the four-dayers in county cricket. So they're going to rely on their fast bowlers. And if they don't have them, then they're in trouble," said Steyn.

Although he said that the contest will be a tight one, he will put his money on England to pull it off. Also, since India have been there in England for the limited overs, they should be well acquainted with the conditions and that they have become a good touring team. 

Speaking about the conditions, Steyn said that if there is seam and assistance, James Anderson and Stuart Broad will put the hosts in trouble. However, if the pitches are flat, the home team will struggle to take out the strong visitors' line-up.

"If ball swings they are going to play a massive role but if it doesn't swing then how are they going to get someone like Kohli or Shikhar (Dhawan), who opens the batting, and K L Rahul (out)? They treated themselves in South Africa, which I consider is the hardest place to play cricket. They came to South Africa and just got better. It could be true in England too," Steyn added.