<a href="http://www.cricketcountry.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/trophy.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-730936" alt="trophy" src="http://www.cricketcountry.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/trophy.jpg" width="628" height="355" /></a> <p></p> <p></p>Reinforcing the fearless character of the current Indian team, a confident Virat Kohli on Tuesday said they have the skill set, character and mental toughness to excel in overseas conditions. <p></p> <p></p><strong>READ: <a href="http://www.cricketcountry.com/news/india-vs-england-2018-not-in-frame-of-mind-to-prove-myself-in-any-country-says-virat-kohli-730930">Kohli not in England to prove himself</a></strong> <p></p> <p></p>Kohli said the Indian team is fired up for the five-Test series against England, beginning here from Wednesday. <p></p> <p></p>"We have the skill sets, character and mental toughness which is required to compete and win in overseas conditions. How we played in South Africa gave us a lot of confidence. Obviously countries like England and Australia provide you with a test that's difficult. The only way to look at it is you have to be optimistic," said Kohli on the eve of the first Test. <p></p> <p></p><strong>READ: <a href="http://www.cricketcountry.com/news/england-vs-india-1st-test-india-need-to-strive-hard-to-spoil-england-s-1000-test-party-730731">India aim to spoil Eng's 1000-Test party</a></strong> <p></p> <p></p>"Our preparations have been good. Those playing ODIs got lots of time to adjust while those who have come only for Tests got time to prepare well too. They played India-A matches and the practice game too was good. All of us are in a good frame of mind. We are all excited." <p></p> <p></p><strong>READ: <a href="http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/england-vs-india-1st-test-five-questions-for-virat-kohli-s-no-1-ranked-india-at-edgbaston-730767">Five questions facing India</a></strong> <p></p> <p></p>His words echoed that of coach Ravi Shastri who has gone on to say that he wants this Indian team to be the best travelling side in world cricket. With a 1-2 loss in South Africa earlier this year, and a tour to Australia following, this becomes a massive midway point for India's 2018 season. <p></p> <p></p>"It's a young team which has played a lot of matches. It's a very rare combination to find. We are comfortable with where we stand and as a team are we are pretty confident of our abilities," said the skipper. <p></p> <p></p><strong>READ: <a href="http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/india-vs-england-1st-test-virat-kohlis-landmark-1000-for-england-the-edgbaston-fortress-728998">Can India conquer Edgbaston?</a></strong> <p></p> <p></p>Kohli said a long series will give both the sides enough opportunities to revise the strategy. <p></p> <p></p>"This is a five-match series and not a two or three-match series where if things go wrong in one match, desperation sinks in. In such a long series, you can be patient enough to turn things around. From that point of view, all of us are relaxed," he said. <p></p> <p></p>The star player said that professionalism and consistency will be the key to winning the series in England rather than paying attention to the tags of favourites or underdogs. <p></p> <p></p>India last won a Test series on English soil in 2007, while they lost the previous two contests in 2011 and 2014. In their bid to reaffirm their world number one ranking, Kohli and company will be out to spoil the English party who celebrate their 1000th Test at Edgbaston. <p></p> <p></p>"It doesn't matter whether you are the favourites or the underdog, you still have to go out, perform and do well on the field. If you are an underdog it's not a given that pressure will only be on the opposition. Or, if you are the favourites, it's not certain that the underdogs will come out and be fearless the whole time. <p></p> <p></p>"I think it's the balance that's required. We played enough cricket to understand that these are things that happen on the outside. Whether you want to act as an underdog or the favourite, it's actually in your own head, said Kohli. <p></p> <p></p>There are a few selection headaches for India in the lead up to this first Test. They have to contend with the issue of an out-of-form top order as well as decide whether they want to go with a single spinner or two. <p></p> <p></p>Despite the absence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, their bench strength in fast bowling has been consistently talked up ahead of this series. <p></p> <p></p>While England have named their playing eleven, Kohli though didn't reveal his cards. <p></p> <p></p>"It all boils down to your gut feel. If five people on the table agree that this is the right thing to do for the team, then we go ahead with that, there are no ifs and buts. There's no looking back. If we take a decision today we're not going to sit down tomorrow and say, 'Oh we could have done that.' We don't act like that. That's why we've been pushing forward as a team."
