Adam Gilchrist reckons that India is still the favorites in the series

Former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist has said that the Indians are the favorites in the ongoing Test series against England. Gilchrist also believes that England has only made a statement by amassing a score in excess of 500 runs in the first innings and will find it difficult as the series goes on.

However, Adam Gilchrist, an aficionado of Test cricket also went on to add that it was a pleasure to see the Indians playing as much Test cricket as they were. Lately, the Indians have been involved in various domestic leagues and another ODIs, but, the fact of the matter remains that they are playing a lot of Test cricket this season which is a good sign.

“It’s good to see India playing so much Test cricket. To commit to Test cricket for a nation that plays a crucial role in shaping the way Test cricket goes shows the rest of the world that it’s vitally important part of cricket. T20 is great, ODIs have a place but Test cricket is the original masterpiece. It’s good to see India playing so much Test cricket. To commit to Test cricket for a nation that plays a crucial role in shaping the way Test cricket goes shows the rest of the world that it’s vitally important part of cricket. T20 is great, ODIs have a place but Test cricket is the original masterpiece.”

Gilchrist also went on to state that the conditions in India were quite difficult for overseas batsmen to come in and ply their trade. However, the former Aussie custodian also went on to state that he would like the Indians to produce natural wickets.

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“Without a doubt. These are difficult conditions to play in for touring teams. But even for the home side as temperatures rise later in the season and conditions get more difficult, it will be a war of attrition. For guys like Ashwin who bowl the most overs and are so crucial to the attack, it will be challenging; later when fatigue comes in, its battle of the mind as well. India has a relatively young team as compared to the generation that finished and it will be a challenge.”

“They need to produce natural wickets you have here. You come here as an opponent expecting low slow turning wickets and that’s a great challenge. We did get a green bouncy wicket in Nagpur in 2004. But that was an exception. You want to be tested on tracks that spin. You come here expecting to be tested. But you also don’t want to see one sided wickets to the home team that makes a no contest. “

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