India batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has slammed England’s performance in the second Test played at Lord’s and termed England as a ‘two-man team.’ He proceeded to predict that India will win the five-match series 4-0.
England failed to bat 60 overs in the fourth innings to save the match. Even in the first innings, Joe Root alone scored 180 not out of the 391 runs. The bowling department has heavily relied on James Anderson to give them crucial breakthroughs.
“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.
England was reduced to 1/2 in the second over after losing both the openers on a duck. Number 3 batsman Haseeb Hameed lasted for more than 40 balls but looked short of confidence. The former India captain criticized the England top order.
“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, he is a fine white-ball player. I’m not too sure he is there for red-ball cricket,” Gavaskar said.
Gavaskar also slammed the England bowling for allowing Mohammad Shami (56*) and Jasprit Bumrah (34*) put up an unbeaten 89-run stand for the ninth wicket which put an England win out of the equation.
“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,” he said.
“That’s why 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,” he concluded.
