Former Australian captain Michael Clarke backed India to win the five-match Test series against England by 3-2. India has picked a young team after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their Test retirements but still Clarke feels a young Indian team could script history. 

Shubman Gill will lead the Indian team and there is no doubt that the visitors will have their work cut out in the English conditions. The tourists will need to come up with a collective effort and deliver as a unit in tough conditions.

Furthermore, Jasprit Bumrah is not going to play all five Test matches and thus not many experts are backing India, barring Clarke.

“It’s going to be 3-2. There you go. I’m going for India. I’m going to watch the Lord’s Test. I’m going to watch India play at Lord’s. So, I am going for India. I want them to win 3-2,” Clarke said in an interview with RevSportz.

Clarke said the young players will have their opportunity to prove their mettle in England.

“Well, yes, I do give them a chance, but it’s a lot more inexperienced team than the one I expected to be on a plane to England. Having no Rohit Sharma, no Virat Kohli, is huge. Players come, players go, people retire and the game moves on. So that does not mean a new captain is the worst thing for India. I’m not saying that. Somebody retires, and that gives somebody else an opportunity,” he added.

On the other hand, Clarke said it could have a different series in Australia if Mohammed Shami had been available. Shami has not been picked for upcoming England series due to injury concerns

“I also saw no [Mohammed] Shami in the squad as well. I think him missing the Australian series was huge, and if he and a fit Bumrah were in Australia, then it would have been a very different series,” Clarke said.

The opening Test match between India and England will be played at Leeds, Headingley, from June 20 onwards.