India vs England: From Sunil Gavaskar to Michael Vaughan, 4 legends who are backing Team India to win series in England – Virat Kohli led Team India is all set to play the five-match Test series against England starting from August 4 at Nottingham. The last time India toured England, the results went in the favour of the host however visitors gave a tough fight to England. Many cricket pundits from Michael Vaughan, Sunil Gavaskar to Harbhajan Singh and Wasim Jaffer are backing Team India to beat England in England for the first time in 13 years.
24 hours until the first ball is bowled! 👀
What are your series predictions?
🏴 #ENGvIND 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/fWBDbz4n83
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 3, 2021
India’s last four tours to England
- 2018: ENG 4 – IND 1
- 2014: ENG 3 – IND 1
- 2011: ENG 4 – IND 0
- 2007: ENG 0 – IND 1
Virat Kohli and co. have a very good chance of achieving what Rahul Dravid led the Indian team achieved in 2007.
Let’s have look at why five legends are backing Indian to beat England in England.
India vs England: Wasim Jaffer – Team India is well prepared
“I feel India team is well prepared now. They have been in England for a long time and have enough practice under their belt compared to England. Lots of England players have been playing in the Hundred leading up to the series. So I feel they will be short of red-ball practise coming into this Test, which will go in favour of the Indian team,” ,” said Wasim Jaffer said in his Youtube Channel video.
Earlier this week Ben Stokes pulled out of the series against India sitting mental health issue. Stokes is one of the best performers in England in the last few years.
Ben Stokes (2019 – 2021)
- Matches – 22
- Runs – 1665
- Wickets – 46
“Three Lions also suffered a huge setback with Ben Stokes taking an indefinite break due to mental health issues. He will be missing. He is a very key part of this England team, not just as a batter but as an all-rounder he gives crucial breakthroughs with the ball at different stages of the game. Collectively, it is a huge setback for England, as they rely a lot on Joe Root and Ben Stokes. The other players aren’t that experienced as far as international cricket is concerned. I think this will go in favour of the Indian team,” added Jaffer.
India vs England: Harbhajan Singh – Team India will walk all over England
“India definitely has the team to succeed there. Yes, they lost against New Zealand which was a one-off game, where India did not play well. If this Indian team wins on England shores, they will stand out from the rest. I hope this team performs well and wins the series. My prediction is that India will definitely win two or three Test matches and one contest will be a draw. Even if the series is drawn, it will be a huge gain because of the challenging conditions in the store,” speaking on his Youtube Channel.
Getting into the groove for the 1⃣st #ENGvIND Test be like 👌 💪#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/giBp5nk09s
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 2, 2021
“England will be under pressure because they will be playing without Ben Stokes. They fielded a team against New Zealand that, according to me, won’t win a Test for a couple of years at least. If they walk out with such a team, India will walk all over them,” Harbhajan Singh said.
India vs England: Michael Vaughan – This is India’s best chance to win series in England
“I know I get a few rights and a few wrong. But, no Ben Stokes and given the fact that New Zealand beat this team just recently, India will win this series. It is the best chance they have of winning here. The last couple of times they have been here, they had high hopes and then just flattered for whatever reasons. They had not managed to get enough runs,” Michael Vaughan said.
New Zealand tour of England – 2021
- ENG 0 – NZ 1
“With no Stokes, it will be difficult for Three Lions to balance this side. They will either go with a batter less or a bowler less. So, it will be difficult for Joe Root to manage. August and September spin will play a part. I am going to predict and I hate to say this, India are going to win 3-1,” Michael Vaughan added.
India vs England: Sunil Gavaskar – With no Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes, its advantage India
“Ben Stokes has been a game-changer with both bat and ball and him not playing is a huge advantage for India. Also, the absence of Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes has weakened the England side,” said Gavaskar.
ECB said Stokes has withdrawn from Three Lion’s Test squad for the series against India to prioritise his mental well-being and to rest his left index finger, which has not fully healed since his return to competitive cricket earlier this month
Key England player missing
- Ben Stokes
- Jofra Archer
- Chris Woakes
“It’s definitely tough to play in the current situation no doubt about it. What would help centrally others who are possibly going through similar circumstances is we get to know the actual reason. So, if Stokes would come out and say look this is the reason why he took the break, it will certainly help a lot of other younger players who might be undergoing a similar kind of situation,” Sunil Gavaskar added.
