Former England opener Geoffrey Boycott said that Indian captain Rohit Sharma is well past his best, sharing that England can beat the hosts in the ongoing Test series. Boycott also said that Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja will be missed in the second Test. However, Rohit Sharma had excellent starts in both innings of the first Test against England in Hyderabad but he couldn’t score a big one. He also had a poor series in South Africa, managing a solitary fifty in four innings.

In his column for The Telegraph, Geoffrey Boycott added, “Their captain Rohit Sharma is nearly 37 and past his best. He makes pretty cameos but has only scored two Test hundreds at home in four years. They are also weak in the field. This India team is ripe for the taking, and England have a golden chance to be the first side to topple them on their own patch for 12 years. India badly miss Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja has a hamstring injury and will not play the second Test.”

Geoffrey Boycott also opined on that Jadeja and Kohli are important to Team India’s chances, especially pointing out that the latter’s presence is powerful as well.

“Jadeja is a huge blow. He is a great all-rounder, top bowler, brilliant fielder and was their best batsman in the first Test. Kohli is their talisman. He is a magnificent batsman who averages 60 on Indian pitches, but he also gives them great energy in the field. He is a big loss, and England must make the most of it before he comes back for the third Test. India are due a defeat at home. The signs are good, as they have lost Kohli, Jadeja, Mohammad Shami and Rishabh Pant and are playing opponents full of confidence after a remarkable win. England must take this rare opportunity,” Geoffrey Boycott concluded.

The second Test between India and England will begin on February 2 in Vishakhapatnam.