New Delhi: Not only would India be without their long-time star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in England, they would also have a new skipper, which makes their task in the five-match Test series extremely challenging, reckons Moeen Ali.
India’s away series begins at Headingley from June 20, a month before which skipper Rohit and Kohli announced their retirements from red-ball cricket within five days of each other.
Both were under pressure after persistent low scores with the bat and reports suggest they were informed of not being in India’s plans for the new World Test Championship that begins from the England series.
“Definitely, I think it’s a massive boost for England. Two top players who’ve been to England a few times on tour, so they have the experience,” the former England all-rounder told Sky Sports.
“I remember Rohit playing really well the last time they were in England. The character they have, the leaders they (are), both of them have captained India in Test cricket, so yeah a massive loss for the team.”
Moeeen retired from international cricket last year after scoring oer 3000 runs and taking more than 200 wickets in 68 Tests for England. He said Shubman Gill is still inexperienced to lead in a tour as demanding as England.
“I think it will be Shubman Gill. Ideally they (BCCI) would want Jasprit Bumrah to captain because he is a very good captain, a good leader who has done it before.
“But because of his injury record he might not be a able to last the whole series, I think they’ll give it (captaincy) to somebody who’s done decently so far in Test cricket,” he added.
“Gill leads Gujarat Titans in IPL, so they’ve still got a very, very good captain, inexperienced yes but a good captain and good brain, but it’ll be a challenge (in England conditions).”
England should fancy their chances but not underestimate India, who have a talented bunch of players, Moeen felt
“England is a challenge for anybody, any team that comes over and when it’s your first time as captain, it’s very, very difficult. So, I think the signs look good for England to take the series but I would never underestimate India or their ability they have with the bat in particular,” he said.
“But they have brilliant players who just don’t have the experience of obviously playing in England and that’s something that you need in England. I think it’s a great chance for England.”
India’s away series begins at Headingley from June 20, a month before which Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirements from red-ball cricket Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
