'Don't think England bowlers are that good' - Matthew Hayden's advice for India ahead of England Tests

While some experts are writing India off as they get ready to face a strong England side in a five-match Test series in the United Kingdom, former Australia batter Matthew Hayden said that Shubman Gill and Co. have a good chance to overwhelm the hosts.

India are in a transition period in the red-ball format, with stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin retiring in recent times. Experienced pacer Mohammed Shami has also been left out due to fitness concerns. The Asian giants have named a fairly inexperienced 18-man squad for the England series, led by 25-year-old Shubman.

As India are going to be playing without several veterans against England, the pundits are predicting a win for the European nation. However, Hayden feels that India can prove the doubters wrong if they win the Tests in the challenging conditions of Leeds and Manchester.

"I don't think England bowlers are that good, they have got a number of injuries and a number of retirees as well, that will be the challenge. The northern Test matches when it's zipping around that will be key, win that one and it could well be a series that goes India's way," Hayden said on JioHotstar.

England have been struggling with injuries as pacers Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, and Gus Atkinson have not been picked in their 14-member squad for the first Test, which commences on Friday, June 20, at Headingley, Leeds.

Furthermore, Wood could be missing at least the first three Tests as he is working hard behind the scenes following a knee surgery. Archer, on the other hand, could be back in the side for the second Test as he is recovering from a thumb injury. Meanwhile, Atkinson is recuperating from a hamstring injury, and there is no clear update on his return.

England have picked Josh Tongue, Sam Cook, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, and Jamie Overton as the five pacers in the squad for the Headingley Test. Shoaib Bashir is the sole specialist spinner in the side, with Joe Root and Jacob Bethell being available to roll their arms over if necessary.