Michael Holding: India should win series handsomely

Jasprit Bumrah bowls under the watchful eyes of coach Ravi Shastri at Lord’s yesterday. Pic/AP, PTI

Former West Indies pacer Michael Holding finds no reason why India cannot win the ongoing five-Test matches.

India gained a significant upper hand during the drawn first Test at Nottingham. The caravan now moves to Lord's for the second Test which starts on Thursday.

Team India's last three Test tours to England have been disastrous, losing 0-4 in 2011 before the 1-3 and 1-4 scorelines in 2014 and 2018 respectively. India last registered a series victory in England in 2007 when Rahul Dravid's men beat Michael Vaughan's team 1-0 in a three-Test series.

‘India are favourites'

Holding, who is also one of the commentators for the Pataudi Trophy, said India remain firm favourites. "India started the series as favourites, and they remain favourites. India should win the series handsomely," he told mid-day from the UK.

Michael Holding

"I find no reason why India cannot win the series. They have already acclimatised with the conditions [the team have been in the UK since June for the WTC final]. They should concentrate on playing without worrying about the result. They have a well-balanced side of young and experienced cricketers," he added.

Holding felt the Indian pacers are better equipped to make most of the English conditions. "India are looking good with Jasprit Bumrah returning to form. Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj look promising. Mohammed Shami is an experienced campaigner. I am sure the Indian pacers will be able to utilise the English conditions well," he said.

One of the major worries for England, according to Holding, is the lack of batting depth. "The ball will swing here and have lateral movement. The batsmen will have to be watchful. The English batting is not solid. They do not have good batting depth. And it may cost them the
series.

Burden on Root

"The burden is now on captain Joe Root. They are missing Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes. They have become weak in batting as well as bowling," noted Holding.

He reckoned England are over-dependent on Jimmy Anderson, 39, to restrict the Indian line-up.

"England are now trying to restrict India from scoring big. The Indian batting strength is better than England. So, Virat Kohli and his men have an edge here too.

"Anderson is trying [to do his best], but how can one or two bowlers restrict a team like India?" wondered Holding.

Moeen Ali recalled

England on Tuesday recalled all-rounder Moeen Ali to the squad ahead of the second Test against India at Lord's. The spinning all-rounder will train with the squad on Tuesday, according to an ECB statement.

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