Legendary Sunil Gavaskar reckons Shubman Gill’s team has a very good chance of levelling the five-match Test series against England at Manchester. Currently, India trails 1-2 after three Test matches, following their 22-run defeat at Lord’s.
Gavaskar reckons there would be a bit more carry in the Old Trafford pitch as compared to the first three matches. The first two matches’ pitches at Leeds and Edgbaston were featherbeds but the Lord’s track had assistance for the bowlers in the second innings.
The Little Master feels the penultimate Test of the series will be a good challenge for the Indian bowlers.
Gavaskar said on India Today, “I think in Manchester, there will be a bit more carry. The pitches so far have been quite low and slow-nothing like the usual English conditions with seam and swing movement. We haven’t seen much of that in the first three matches, maybe just a little. But in Manchester, you’ll definitely get more assistance for the new-ball bowlers, which should test our attack quite a bit. It’ll also be better for the batters, as they like the ball coming onto the bat, allowing them to play through the line.
The former Indian opener believes India can go on to win the series 3-2 if they have the rub of the green on their side in the last two games.
“So I’d imagine that in Manchester, India has a very good chance of levelling the series. Overall, it’ll be a pitch where the ball comes on nicely. India just needs a bit of luck. They had some here and at Leeds-if they get a little more at Manchester and the Oval, they could win the series 3-2.”
India would need to come up with a collective effort and bag the crucial stages of the fourth Test. The fourth Test match between England and India will be played at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, from July 23 onwards.