ENG vs IND | England is a âtwo-manâ team, India will win 4-0 or 3-1, quips Gavaskar
Gavaskar predicted that India will win the Test series 4-0 or 3-1
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After India defeated England by 151 runs in the second Test match at Lordâs, Sunil Gavaskar termed England as âa two-man teamâ, owing to their over reliance on skipper Joe Root and James Anderson. Gavaskar further predicted that India will win the remaining three matches to take the series 4-0.
India declared at 298/8 minutes after lunch on Day 5, setting England a target of 272 runs in the remaining 60 overs. England lost both their openers to Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, who had earlier showcased their brilliance with the bat during the first session. Indiaâs pace-attack combined to put up a great show, dismissing England for 120 in 51.5 overs to register their third Test win at Lordâs.
As had been the case during the first Test at Trent Bridge, England heavily relied on Joe Root, who top-scored with an unbeaten 180 in the first innings, with some help from Jonny Bairstow who scored 57. The bowling too, rested heavily on James Andersonâs shoulders, who bagged a five-for in the first innings.
Sunil Gavaskar heavily criticized the current England team, terming it as "a two-man" force, after most of the players failed to contribute.
âEngland is a two-man team. Itâs just Joe Root and Jimmy Anderson. With the greatest of respect to all who are playing there, it doesnât look like a proper Test team,â Gavaskar said on Sony Sports Network on Monday, August 16.
Rory Burns and Dom Sibley were dismissed for a duck in the second innings, the first such instance for any England opening pair in a Lordâs Test. Joe Root and Jos Buttler showed some resistance to try and salvage a draw, but failed to do so against Indiaâs fast-bowling brilliance.
Gavaskar was particularly critical of the openersâ poor techniques, which he feels adds to the pressure on Root. He also added that Jos Butler is a great a white-ball player, the same might not be said as far as Test cricket is concerned.
âTheir technique is awful. The technique of their opening batsmen is ludicrous,â said Gavaskar who scored 33 of his 34 Test hundreds while opening the batting. âTheir No.3 batsman Haseeb Hameed is nervous, tentative. So, we look up to Joe Root. Jonny Bairstow, yes if he gets going or otherwise, itâs nothing. Butler is a fine white-ball player. Iâm not too sure he is there for red-ball cricket.
âIn bowling, there was just Jimmy Anderson and there was nobody else. Robinson got five wickets in Trent Bridge but itâs really a âtwo and a half menâ kind of a teamâ
The 72-year-old went on to predict that India will win the next three Tests and take the series 4-0.
âThatâs why I think India will win the remaining three matches of the series,â he said. âI had said at the beginning of the series that India should win it 4-0 or 3-1 and I still believe that result is possible if rain doesnât spoilsport."
