Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Dinesh Karthik has predicted that the five-match Test series against England would end with a 2-2 scoreline. India had last won a Test series on English soil in 2007 when Rahul Dravid led the team to 1-0 series win.
Meanwhile, this time, India has an inexperienced squad, which will be led by Shubman Gill after Rohit Sharma’s retirement. Virat Kohli has also announced his Test retirement whereas chief selector Ajit Agarkar has revealed gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah won’t play all the five Test matches.
Karthik reckons England’s injury woes won’t help them as the likes of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Gus Atkinson are struggling with fitness and injury issues and they are not part of the squad for the opening Test.
Chris Woakes will lead the pace attack for England and he will have the company of Sam Cook, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, and Josh Tongue.
Thus, England lack experience in their pace battery and they would look to come up with a collective show.
Speaking on Sky Cricket, Dinesh Karthik said, “I was always of the opinion that it could be England 3-1. But after seeing their bowling attack and the number of injuries they have, I feel this will be 2-2 actually.”
On the other hand, England head coach Brendon McCullum admitted they will have their work cut out against Indian batters, who will come well-prepared.
“There are some quality bowlers unavailable, but we have a nice, varied attack with Chris Woakes, Sam Cook, Brydon Carse, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue providing the high-pace element. We also have Shoaib Bashir, who is growing in confidence with every Test. We know we’re going to be tested against India, and they will arrive well-prepared,” McCullum told Sky Sports Cricket.
The opening Test match between India and England will be played at Leeds, Headingley, from June 20 onwards.
England squad for first Test against India: Ben Stokes (Captain), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes
