ENG v IND 2021: Sir Alastair Cook predicts the winner of England-India Test series

Cook says he would be more confident if Ben Stokes had played.

Virat Kohli-led Team India is set to take on Joe Root's England in a five-match Test series starting from 4 August. Several experts and ex-cricketers have started making predictions before the first Test that will be played at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. 

England legend Sir Alastair Cook has predicted that the series will be won by England. He, however, added that he would have been more confident if all-rounder Ben Stokes was available for the series. 

Ben Stokes has taken an indefinite break from all cricket citing mental health issues that ruled him out of the Test series. 

“I would be more confident with Ben Stokes in the England side, so that changes it a lot. But with India being on tour and in the bubble situation for so long - they arrived in early June for the World Test Championship final - they will find it quite hard,” Cook told BBC.

Read also: ENG v IND 2021: Ajinkya Rahane expects this Indian bowler to do well with the bat during Test series

Cook said that England bowlers will challenge the Indian batsman with the moving ball and will score enough runs to win the series. 

“Given the moving ball, England will always fancy their chances against this India batting line-up. I think England will score just enough runs and win the series, with one of the Tests heavily affected by rain,” he added while predicting 3-1 win for England in the series.