When disappointment fuels determination then fortunes can be turned: Gavaskar

After a disappointing result at the World Test Championship (WTC) final, Team India turns its focus towards England. The men in blue are set to play the Three Lions in a five-match Test series, starting August 4. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes Indian batsmen should not worry much about the pitch conditions.

In his column for The Telegraph, the 71-year-old wrote since the Test series between England and India takes place during the months of August and September, the weather conditions would be ideal and the pitches will remain dry. He also stated that if their premier pacers, James Anderson and Stuart Broad, do not make an impact in the first spell, India will undoubtedly have an advantage over the hosts.

“Indian batsmen need not worry about the series against England in August-September as the sun will be out by then and the pitches will be drier and with the greatest of respect, if Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad don’t get wickets in their first spell, they struggle in their next spells,” wrote the 71-year-old in his column for The Telegraph. 

Despite the fact that Team India hasn't had the best start to their English summer, they will be looking to turn things around against England and will never back down from doing so. Gavaskar reckons that this side possesses the character, determination and talent to overcome challenges.

“The English summer has begun with disappointment [for India] but when disappointment fuels determination then fortunes can be turned and that’s the attitude this talented team need to make this a truly Indian summer,” Gavaskar remarked.

Team India’s squad for the England Tests

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul, and Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper).

Series schedule

• First Test: England vs India, 4th - 8th August

• Second Test: England vs India, 12th - 16th August

• Third Test: England vs India, 25th - 29th August

• Fourth Test: England vs India, 2nd - 6th September

• Fifth Test: England vs India, 10th - 14th September

[With The Telegraph input]