Andrew Strauss speaks to us about the England-India Investec Test Series
Former England captains Andrew Strauss and Graham Gooch have backed the hosts to win the Investec Test Series versus India.
Strauss led England to a 4-0 whitewash of the same opponents in 2011, a result that put his side top of the Test rankings.
Gooch presided over a 1-0 series success against India in 1990, one famous for his magnificent 333 at Lord’s.
Speaking exclusively to ecb.co.uk, Gooch said:“It’s going to be close but I’d take England to win by the odd match.”
The 60-year-old added: “India are an engaging side, a young side, a vibrant side now. A lot of the icon players have retired and they’re going to be tough to beat.”
Strauss sees the turnover in the tourists’ personnel since their last Test tour of England as a particular hindrance.
“I think England will win. I think India will struggle to get 20 wickets, if I’m honest with you,” he told ecb.co.uk.
“They’re very inexperienced. I think they’ve only got three players on the tour party that have played in England before and they’re very different conditions to back at home.”
Graham Gooch assesses England's chances against India