Sunil Gavaskar slams England after humbling defeat at Lord’s
Former Indian captain and legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar has criticized England after their humbling defeat by 151 runs against India in the second Test of the five-match series. Gavaskar stated that England is overly dependent on Joe Root and James Anderson and that the England team does not look like a proper Test-playing team.
“England is a two-man team. It’s just Joe Root and Jimmy Anderson. With the greatest of respect to all who are playing there, it doesn’t look like a proper Test team,” Gavaskar said on Sony Sports Network after the Lord’s Test.
Opening up on the returning Haseeb Hameed, who played his first Test after the winter tour of India in 2016, Gavaskar stated that he looked nervous. Hameed bagged a golden duck in the first innings, while he scored just nine in the second innings.
“Their technique is awful. The technique of their opening batsmen is ludicrous. Their No.3 batsman Haseeb Hameed is nervous, tentative. So, we look up to Joe Root. Jonny Bairstow, yes if he gets going or otherwise it’s nothing. Buttler is a fine white-ball player. I’m not too sure he is there for red-ball cricket,” Gavaskar added.
England were given a 272-run target in 60 over on the final day, however, they tumbled out for 120, which has brought their batting problems to the forefront again.
“In bowling, there was just Jimmy Anderson and there was nobody else. Robinson got five wickets in Trent Bridge but it’s really a ‘two and a half men’ kind of a team.”
India should win it 4-0 or 3-1: Sunil Gavaskar
Notably, India were in pole position during the series-opener at Trent Bridge too, where they had nine wickets intact, needing just 157 runs on the final day to seal the game. However, unstoppable rain on the final day meant that the game ended in a draw. Meanwhile, Gavaskar backed India to clinch the series provided the England weather allows in the upcoming three games.
“I think India will win the remaining three matches of the series. I 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 doesn’t spoilsport,” Gavaskar said.
