Michael Atherton feels England can bounce back and win the five-match series after losing the second Test by 106 runs to level the series 1-1.
“It is a really tough place to come and win in India. India haven’t lost a Test series at home in 10 years with England being the last ones to beat them,” Michael Atherton said on Sky Sports.
“After two games, I don’t think England will be disheartened. They will feel they’re in the contest. It’s 1-1 and everything to play for,” he added.
Virat Kohli skipped the first two tests for personal reason, while both batters KL Rahul and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja missed the match with injuries sustained in the series opener in Hyderabad. The absence of key players for India, Atherton feels, will benefit England.
“India missing some serious players, Kohli one, KL Rahul. We expect him to play the next game. Ravindra Jadeja. He could come back at some stage in the series. Not sure about Shami, I think he has been ruled out. Without some of those players, England will feel they have a chance in the series. They have taken 20 wickets in the two games they have played,” Atherton said.
“It’s not the same batting lineup as 10 years ago. There are some younger and more inexperienced players there. If England do get runs, they have a chance of being in the contest,” Atherton added.
Ben Stokes had earlier at the post-match press conference had said that he was very satisfied with the way his team fought through the match.
“The way we applied ourselves and put India under pressure was great, unfortunately we didn’t end up on the right side of the result,” he said.
England won the first test in Hyderabad by 28 runs.
England would fly to Abu Dhabi for a short break before returning to India for the third test in Rajkot beginning on Feb. 15.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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