While some analysts are writing India off as they prepare to play a strong England side in a five-match Test series in the United Kingdom, former Australia batsman Matthew Hayden believes Shubman Gill and his teammates have a decent opportunity of overwhelming the hosts.
India is in a transition stage in the red-ball format, with veterans such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin departing in recent years. Mohammed Shami, an experienced bowler, has also been sidelined due to fitness concerns. The Asian superpowers have chosen a relatively inexperienced 18-man squad for the England series, led by 25-year-old Shubman.
Because India will be without several veterans versus England, analysts foresee a victory for the European team.
Matthew Hayden, on the other hand, believes that if India wins the Tests in Leeds and Manchester, they will disprove the critics.
“I don’t think England’s bowlers are that excellent; they have a number of injuries and retirees, so that will be a struggle. The northern Test matches, when the ball is whizzing around, will be critical; win that one, and India may win the series,” Hayden remarked on JioHotstar.
England have been dealing with injuries, as pacers Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, and Gus Atkinson have been left out of their 14-man squad for the first Test, which begins on Friday, June 20, at Headingley in Leeds.
Furthermore, Wood could miss at least the first three Tests since he is working hard behind the scenes following knee surgery. Archer, on the other hand, could return to the team for the second Test as he recovers from a thumb injury. Meanwhile, Atkinson is recovering from a hamstring injury, and there is no word on his return.
England have picked Josh Tongue, Sam Cook, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, and Jamie Overton as the five pacers in the squad for the Headingley Test. Shoaib Bashir is the sole specialist spinner in the side, with Joe Root and Jacob Bethell being available to roll their arms over if necessary.
