ENG vs IND: Alastair Cook predicts the outcome of the Test series

A blockbuster five-match Test series between India and England will begin on 4th August 2021, at Nottingham. This pulsating series will be the first assignment that both England and India will face in the second cycle of the World Test Championship.

And, ahead of this marquee clash, England cricketing legend Alastair Cook predicted the outcome of the series between Virat Kohli’s men and Joe Root’s men. Cook reckoned that the Indian side will find it tough against the England side as they have been in the bubble for long.

The former England left-hander added that he would have been more confident about England’s prospects if Ben Stokes had been available, but still feels that India will find it tough.

“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,” said Cook to BBC.

England will fancy their chances against this Indian batting lineup: Alastair Cook

Alastair Cook further added that the England side will fancy their chances against the Indian willow wielders as the ball will be moving around in English conditions. Stating that one of the Tests might be affected by rain, Cook concluded by adding that England will win the series by a margin of 3-1 against India.

“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,” concluded Cook.

The England side will be missing a number of key players for the series. While Ben Stokes has taken a break due to mental health issues, pace bowler Jofra Archer might miss the Test series as well due to an elbow injury. For India, Mayank Agarwal has been ruled out of the first Test due to a head injury.