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ENG vs IND | 'India could be undercooked'- Graeme Swann names England favourite for the one-off Test

Sakshi Jain

Former England spinner Graeme Swann has backed England to win the one-off Test match against India, scheduled from July 01 to July 05 at the Edgbaston in Birmingham. The Test forms a part of the five-match series that started last year. India have an upper hand in the series as they are leading by 2-1.

As per Swann, the chances of the series ending in a draw are high as England have the momentum on their side. The Englishmen are enjoying a sensational form in the purest format of the game. They have played an exhilarating brand of cricket under the new captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. 

England will be heading into the Test match on the back of a 3-0 win against New Zealand in the three-match Test series. On the other hand, India played their last match in the white jersey in March.

Though the visitors played a practice game against Leicestershire, Graeme Swann believes it won’t be enough to prepare them for the challenge against the beast England side. The veteran also compared the situation to the final of the World Test Championship last year, where India lost to New Zealand. 

“This England team is a different beast altogether from the one that played last year, with a new captain, a new coach, and a whole new outlook on how to play Test cricket. I am impressed by the mindset of the England team. They are now ultra-positive, ultra-aggressive, and always taking the aggressive option. 

It has rejuvenated the Test team, which was in a bit of shambles. There is renewed vigour. England are in a good space, and India have come and played only one warm-up game in Leicester. 

Just like the ICC World Test Championship final (2021) when India were undercooked against New Zealand, there is a danger India could be undercooked (again),” Graeme Swann said as quoted by the Hindustan Times. 

Though England will walk into the match as favourites, Swann admitted that the host can’t take India lightly. The veteran believes that the chances of India dominating the game will increase if their bowlers can bowl well the Dukes ball. 

“At the moment, I see England are favourites—they have the home advantage, won a very well-fought series against New Zealand. But I am not writing India off, especially their bowlers, if they get their lengths right and enjoy bowling with the Dukes' ball. Jasprit Bumrah is the world’s best when he gets going,” Swann added. 

Furthermore, the spin great elaborated his opinion on India’s opening partnership. India have a stable middle-order with the likes of Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari. However, the team has yet to decide on its opening pair. When India toured England last year, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma played a major role in India's success.

Both the openers had caused carnage on the field to help India take a lead of 2-1. However, KL will be missing the match due to a groin injury. Rohit is also doubtful for the match as he is under isolation after testing positive for coronavirus. 

“It (opening partnerships) was one main reason India was so dominant last year. So, it is a massive loss. England are also very weak in the opening department. Alex Lees and Crawley just can’t get going at the moment. No 3 was also a real issue, but Pope has scored two excellent hundreds. Opening positions for both teams could be vulnerable spots; Shubman Gill will do well for India," Swann concluded.