Former England cricketer Alastair Cook believes that Team India’s batsmen would have their work cut out for them while facing the moving ball in the forthcoming Tests against Joe Root and his team. In June, India lost the World Test Championship (WTC) final to New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, despite playing in wet conditions. Alastair Cook highlights India’s weakness.

Alastair Cook highlights Team India’s ‘biggest weakness’ ahead of the ING 2021 IND Tour: Test series, saying England have a better chance

In the first innings, Kyle Jamieson’s five-wicket haul dominated India’s strong batting lineup. Cook, who retired from Test cricket in September 2018, suggested that England’s fast-bowlers may be licking their lips in preparation for the Indian batters.

“India are a great side. England will always fancy their chances more if that ball moves. If the conditions are like that in the month of August with moisture around, England will fancy bowling to that Indian side,” Cook was quoted in an Interview.

Considering the conditions, Cook, who hit centuries in both his maiden and last Tests believes that India might have revised their playing eleven for the WTC final. The Indians should have selected more pacers for the match, according to the expert.

‘Those two Test matches against ENG were such perfect preparation’: Alastair Cook

“They (India) got a bit confident in picking that side three days out before (the game) and playing two spinners where they pretty much knew it was going to rain for a lot of that game. So a lot of seam bowling was bowled. Even though their spinners are world-class, they got a little bit ahead of themselves there,” he stated.

Cook and former England captain Michael Vaughan predicted the Black Caps would win the WTC final last month. Cook stated that the New Zealanders were the favourites because of their two-Test victories over England.

“I did say New Zealand were going to win that game purely down to the fact that they were match-hardened. Those two Test matches against England were such perfect preparation,” Cook added.

The five-match Test series between India and England is scheduled to begin on August 4 and will go until mid-September. Trent Bridge, Lord’s, Headingley, Kennington Oval, and Old Trafford will host the high-profile series.

 

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