Former England captain Michael Vaughan has predicted that India will register a 3-1 victory in the Test series against the hosts England. Vaughan added that the non-availability of some key players for England can be a problem for them while facing India. And, this makes India the clear favourite to win the series as well.
The veteran made this bold prediction on the eve of the start of the Test series between the two teams. “Can’t wait for the Test series to start tomorrow. The best format by a country mile. India favourites & rightly so. England have so many key players missing. India to Win 3-1,” Vaughan tweeted.
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However, England won’t get the services of key players like Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes. While Stokes has taken an indefinite break from cricket citing mental health issues and recovering from the finger injury, Archer and Woakes are not yet recovered from their injuries as well.
Evening all .. Can’t wait for the Test series to start tomorrow .. The best format by a country mile .. India favourites & rightly so .. England have so many key players missing .. But it India don’t pick @imjadeja they must be bloody bonkers .. #ENGvIND .. India to Win 3-1 !
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 3, 2021
However, Michael Vaughan believes that India must include the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in their playing XI no matter what the team combination is. He termed that India “must be bloody bonkers” if they chose not to play with him as well. “But it (if) India don’t pick @imjadeja they must be bloody bonkers,” Vaughan tweeted.
So far, Jadeja has scored 307 runs in six matches which came at an average of a shade under 28 in England. He has also claimed 17 wickets in those six matches. However, England will try to win the series against the touring Indian side. The first of the five-Test matches will take place at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, starting on Wednesday (August 4).
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Meanwhile, the last time when these two sides met earlier this year, India successfully beat England at home. And, Indian skipper, Virat Kohli reckons that the Test team is definitely much better prepared for the upcoming five-Test match series against England as they have been in the country for almost two months and got acclimatized to the conditions.