Indian legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar is unhappy with the Indian team’s preparation prior the beginning of the ongoing five-match Test series against the hosts England.

After the end of the limited-over series, where the visitors India won the T20I series (1-2) and the hosts England won the ODI series (2-1), India lost the thrilling first Test against the hosts by 31 runs.

Gavaskar feels that there was no preparation from the Indian team between the end of the limited-overs series and the beginning of the Test series.

Gavaskar told India Today, “It was no preparation at all. I can understand that you need to switch off after a series but that can’t be five days at a stretch. It can be three plus three-day breaks between matches but not five days.”

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Before the Test series, India played a three-day warm-up game that was initially scheduled a four-day game. The legendary cricketer has claimed that the Indian team should have played at least two three-day proper first-class matches instead of warm-up games.

Talking about that, Gavaskar said, “They should have played at least two three-day games and proper first-class games. Not 18 players but 11 players. They should have prepared in such a manner to give themselves a chance in the Test match. They cancelled a warm-up game in South Africa and were thrashed in the first two Tests.

“You can have as many match simulations, take throw-downs but in match situations, it is different. While taking throw-downs, you can get out or in nets you can bowl no balls.”

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Though India has already spent more than a month in England and has played two limited-overs series, conducting three matches in each series, Gavaskar believes there was no preparation for the red ball cricket.

Gavaskar said on that, “They deluded themselves that they are in England for one month. They played white ball cricket where the bat speed is different from red ball cricket. So there was no preparation at all.”

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While Gavaskar has enough belief in the present Indian cricket team, he feels that India should go with an additional batsman in the unfamiliar overseas condition.

He said, “I always believe that in overseas conditions, you need to play an additional batsman. They got to believe in themselves that they can do well. I believe in this team.”