Legendary Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid, recently, predicted the upcoming five-Test series between the two teams will end in a 3-2 win for India.
Team India, which defeated England 3-1 in the four-Test series at home, will face-off against England in an upcoming series of five Tests. However, when India toured to England in 2018, the Men in Blue were defeated 4-1 in the five-Test series in 2018. Rahul Dravid opined that Team India has a golden chance of beating England in their own backyard.
Speaking in a webinar organised by Live Aid India, a trust to help those affected by COVID-19. He said:
“I really do think India have a very good chance this time. There’s no question about England’s bowling. Whatever bowling attack England put on the park, especially their seam-bowling attack, is going to be fantastic. They have a lot of players to pick and choose from and that’s going to be terrific,”
Rahul Dravid felt that only Joe Root and to some extent Ben Stokes are the batsmen Indian bowlers need to worry about. He said:
“But if you look at their top six or top seven, you really think of one great batsman, a world-class batsman who is Joe Root. Obviously, Ben Stokes is another one, who is a good allrounder, but for some reason Ravichandran Ashwin seems to do well against him. And that should be an interesting contest. I know he’s done well against Stokes in India, but it’ll still be an interesting subplot to the series,”
He added:
“But I just think India will be well-prepared, have the confidence from Australia, there’s lot of belief in the squad. A couple of players have been to England a few times, there’s a lot of experience in the batting order this time around, so this is probably our best chance, maybe say 3-2 to India. I think India will play really well in England this time.”
Team India will be coming into the series against England after facing New Zealand in the WTC final, which will be played in Southampton from June 18-23. Dravid feels that this is a great opportunity for the Indian cricket team. He said:
“It’s a great opportunity we’ve got. After the WTC final, they’re going to be in England for a whole month before the Test series starts. I don’t think any team has had that kind of time to prepare for a Test series as India will have this time, so that surely should be a great advantage,”
