Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has expressed his confidence in India winning the ongoing 5-match Test series against England. Commending India’s dominance at home and their ability to pose a formidable challenge to visiting teams, Hayden highlighted the unique challenges that touring sides face in India.

In an interview with Star Sports, Matthew Hayden shared his perspective on the ongoing Test series, stating, “I think it’s India all the way. It’s a battle of energy and conservation of that resource, which is very limited when you tour India.”

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India, despite missing key players like KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, showcased a resurgent performance in the Vizag and Rajkot Tests. Initially perceived as an ‘under-strength’ team, India emerged victorious in both matches, securing a 2-1 lead in the series. Hayden emphasized the mental battle that visiting teams have to contend with, not just on the field but also dealing with the relentless energy and involvement of the Indian crowd.

“The game, the spectators, and the country just keep coming at you. There’s this great energy in India, especially in winning against England. You have to be a guru and have to have a mindset of stillness just to be able to survive mentally there,” Matthew Hayden explained.

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He noted England’s struggles to sustain their momentum despite taking initial leads in the series, attributing it to the demanding nature of playing in India. While England, led by Ben Stokes, remains optimistic about their chances, India’s commanding victories in the last two Tests have positioned them favorably in the series.

As the teams gear up for the fourth Test in Ranchi starting on February 23, the cricketing world awaits to see whether India can seal the series or if England can mount a comeback and level the scores.