In a recent statement, former BCCI Chief Selector Chetan Sharma expressed confidence in India’s ability to bounce back in the ongoing five-match Test series against England. Despite a setback in the opening Test in Hyderabad, where India fell short by 28 runs, Sharma believes the hosts will clinch victory in the remaining games, even in the absence of key players like KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja due to injuries.
Sharma, a former cricketer with a keen understanding of the game, drew parallels with England’s last tour of India in 2020/21. During that series, England secured a win in the opening game in Chennai, only to witness India rallying back and ultimately claiming the series with a 3-1 margin.
Sharma emphasized the resilience of the Indian team and their potential to turn the tide in their favor. The recent loss in Hyderabad saw England’s Ollie Pope scoring an impressive 196 on a spin-friendly pitch, turning the match in favor of the visitors. Debutant left-arm spinner Tom Hartley further compounded India’s troubles by taking seven wickets and securing a victory for England while defending a target of 231.
In a conversation with India Today, Chetan Sharma exuded confidence, saying, “Koi tension nahi hai, 4-1 karenge (No tension, we’ll make it 4-1).” He emphasized that India has embraced their guests, acknowledging that mistakes happen in cricket, but refrained from labeling it as such, acknowledging England’s commendable performance.
Reflecting on India’s previous encounters with England, Sharma highlighted the opening Test loss in Chennai three years ago, a match they ultimately rebounded from to secure a 3-1 series win. Drawing a parallel to that experience, Sharma confidently predicted, “Similarly, history will repeat itself, and in the next game, the Indian team will look completely different. There’ll be aggression, and according to me, we are winning the series 4-1.” Sharma’s optimism stems from the belief in India’s potential and the team’s historic ability to recover from setbacks.
The unpredictability of Test cricket and India’s track record of turning situations around make the series a thrilling spectacle. Fans will be keenly watching whether Sharma’s prediction of a 4-1 series win for India materializes, or if England can continue their momentum and upset the host’s plans.