India Tour of England: Sunil Gavaskar predicts the scoreline

The second cycle of the World Test Championship is all set to get underway today as England lock horns with India in the first Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. It's the battle between two of the best pace-bowling attacks in Test cricket, featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, James Anderson, Stuart Board, Sam Curran and Mark Wood.

Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar predicted the scoreline of the five-match Test series. Considering the depth of both sides, the batting legend believes India will emerge triumphant by a 4-0 or 3-1 margin, depending on the weather conditions. He also stated that England are a ‘depleted side’ now, and the absence of Ben Stokes makes the batting look more brittle. 

"My prediction is if again this time I am making it contingent (on) to the weather... if the hot conditions are there, hot conditions are there for 22 out of possible 25 days, then I think India will win 4-0. In case you have a situation where the weather is going to be a factor, then I think India will win 3-1, but I think India will still go on to win, because England is now a very depleted side, and their batting, as we saw in the series against New Zealand, is being brittle, “ Gavaskar was quoted as saying at a media interaction ahead of the first Test. 

James Anderson vs Virat Kohli: The battle of the heavyweights 

The battle between India’s skipper and England's premier bowler is undoubtedly the most anticipated one of the Test series. The outcome of this battle could have a significant impact on the Test series' final scoreline. Gavaskar has once again backed Virat Kohli to dictate terms against James Anderson.

“Looking at the way Kohli adapted in 2018, looking at the way he was so certain around off-stump, his shot selection was so immaculate. I just think Anderson as a fast bowler getting three-year older and Virat Kohli getting three years more experienced, and I think batsmen are at their peak around this 28-33-34, I do believe that Virat Kohli will come out triumphs like he did in 2018," - Gavaskar added.