 "Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton dismiss India’s chances against England: 'India will miss experience...I'm going for 3-1'")
Former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton believe the Indian cricket team is set to face a tough challenge in the upcoming five-match Test series, starting Friday in Leeds. Both cricket-turned-broadcasters have picked England as favourites to win the series.
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The five-match series will not doubt be one of the toughest Tests for the Indian team in recent years as they are without the services of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who retired from Test cricket last month. India have also not done well in Tests recently, losing to New Zealand at home and then against Australia in Australia.
Nonetheless, new Test captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir would like to believe they can cause an upset against Ben Stokes-led England as they get ready to start a new cycle of the World Test Championship.
Hussain, Atherton sceptical of India’s chances against England
Asked to predict how the series will pan out, former England captain Michael Atherton said that England’s strong home record and the lack of experience in India’s squad make the home team a clear favourite.
“England to win because if you look at the recent past, England’s record is very strong at home,” Atherton told Sky Sports. “Given the changes to the Indian team and the absence of some absolutely top-notch players - of course they’ve got great youngsters coming through - I just feel it’s not easy to move on from players of that stature and that quality without one or two little stumbles.
“Put those two things together, England’s home advantage and the Indian team in a little bit of transition, then it’s England to win for me.”
Also Read | Gautam Gambhir: With rising influence and senior exits, India coach faces his toughest test yet
Impact Shorts
More ShortsNasser Hussain, in his column Mail Sport, wrote something similar, highlighting India missing Rohit, Kohli and England’s strong home record. He feels England will win 3-1.
“England have a very good record at home, and India will miss the runs and experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli,” Hussain wrote. “It’s a hard one to call, but I think home advantage will swing it England’s way, and I’m going for 3-1.”
India have managed just three Test series wins in England, with the last triumph occurring in 2007.
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