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Legendary Sachin Tendulkar has backed Team India to get the better of England in the five-match Test series, which is set to start on June 20 in Leeds.
Sachin Tendulkar makes bold prediction for India-England Test series. (Picture Credit: X/@BCCI and AFP)
Legendary Indian batter and former captain Sachin Tendulkar has backed Shubman Gill-led Team India to get the better of England with a scoreline of 3-1 in the upcoming five-match series. India will face England in five Tests in the coming days. The series opener is scheduled to take place at Headingley in Leeds from June 20 to 24, and the next four matches will be played in Birmingham, Lord’s, Manchester, and The Oval.
Tendulkar, who is India’s leading run getter in Test cricket and was also a member of the Rahul Dravid-led side that last won the Test series on English soil back in 2007, was asked about his prediction for the series by ESPN Cricinfo on Thursday (June 19), and he replied by saying, “I have settled for 3-1 to India.”
Gill, who has 1893 runs to his name in 32 Tests played so far, was appointed as India’s new Test captain on May 24, and he will lead the Indian team in the upcoming series. According to Tendulkar, Gill will do “something special” on the tour.
“My advice to him (Gill) would be that he should not worry about what x, y, and z are saying. His captaincy—whether Shubman is being aggressive or defensive or attacking enough or not a proactive captain or an active captain—whatever that opinion is, it’s only an opinion, and it’s from outside. I think what he needs to think about is what was discussed in the dressing room—when they are planning something, are they going according to that plan, and is the decision being made in the interests of the team—that is what he needs to think about and not about the outside world.”
In the five Tests against England, Gill will bat at No. 4, and according to Tendulkar, he should just go out and be himself.
“Playing for India itself is a responsibility, and it could be batting at any number; even if you go out to bat at 6 or 7, those runs are invaluable. No. 11 is also fulfilling the responsibility in a different capacity. It is good that people believe that he is capable of fulfilling that (No. 4) responsibility. The expectations that people have of him are a positive sign, because people have faith in him. He has to just go out and be himself, be determined, and put his best foot forward with all his commitment. I’m sure he’ll do something special.”
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