The former India opener believes Virat Kohli will score at least two centuries in the Tests against England, given he's a more "technically sound batsman now" than when he last played Tests there (1:27)

The IPL has enjoyed another highly successful season featuring numerous nail-biting last-over finishes and a tension-building scramble among teams vying for a place in the finals.

In its 11th season, the tournament has certainly not lost, and if anything only gained in, lustre. Players from all around the cricketing world are desperate to win a contract and become involved in what is widely considered the most glamorous and definitely the most rewarding of all the T20 leagues.

In addition to the financial benefits the IPL has brought Indian cricket, the league has had a huge positive effect on playing standards. Since the advent of the IPL, Indian national teams have been more confident and aggressive in their approach to the game, and nowhere does this better show up than in their fielding.

The overseas influence on Indian cricket through the IPL has resulted in a more combative national team, confident in its ability to match it with any opposition. There's nothing like playing with and against international stars on a regular basis to help young players discover that despite their great skill, these lauded individuals are still vulnerable to a good delivery or capable of bowling the odd bad ball.

Where a young Indian player in the past often lusted after a meeting with his idol from overseas, now they dream of replicating the deeds of Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni.

Indian cricket is now at a point where there is serious competition for places in all the national teams, and it's a matter of perform or perish. Gone are the days when a player selected to play in a Test against Australian tearaway Jeff Thomson exclaimed, "Why me?" Or the times when rather than wanting to compete at the highest level, the ambition of some young Indian tourists went no further than attaining a cap and blazer to proudly display to their friends back home.

India are now the envy of the cricket world when it comes to producing skilful young batsmen. It's going to be an interesting clash when they visit England later this year. While the tourists are spoilt for batting choices, the hosts are stumbling from one top-order collapse to another.

There was a time when an Indian tour would have been warmly greeted by England batsmen as an opportunity to find form. With India now producing not only bowlers of pace but those who are also seam savvy, they will relish the opportunity to cause further disarray among England's top order.

This highly anticipated clash will also be one of diverging cricketing cultures. While India are riding high on the back of IPL riches and success, England are trying to forge a path like a blind man wielding a white stick. The next addition to an England summer schedule that already resembles a game of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey is a 100-ball competition that has the backing of few outside an administrative clique.

While there appears to be great uncertainty among players surrounding this competition, there can be no doubt that the scattergun approach to England's domestic cricket schedule is having an unsettling effect on the country's batting prospects.

The fragile England batting will be further tested by Kohli's captaincy, which is marked by a strong desire to seek victory from the outset. By constantly probing for a win, Kohli is also challenging his own players to produce their best in tight situations. The fact that the Indian players are now constantly facing tension-filled situations and dramatic close finishes in front of big crowds at IPL matches has helped to hasten this learning process in the international arena.

There's no doubt India can be thankful for the high-profile IPL and the positive influence it has had on the national team. This extremely successful venture could pay even bigger dividends in the UK.