Former England skipper Michael Vaughan reckons India are still favorites to win the Test series against the Ben Stokes-led team. England stunned India in the opening Test by 28 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad on Sunday.
England registered one of their best Test victories on Indian soil as they bounced back despite conceding a huge lead of 190 runs in the first innings. Ollie Pope played a knock for the ages as the flamboyant right-hander scored a majestic knock of 196 runs while putting on an exhibition of sweep and reverse sweep.
England were able to take a lead of 230 runs and bundled out India for 202 after Tom Hartley registered fine figures of 7-62 on debut.
Meanwhile, India had come into the match as favorites but England was able to turn the tables on the last two days of the Test match.
Michael Vaughan wrote for the Telegraph, “I still think India are favourites to win the series, because they will react. But India will be second-guessing themselves about what pitches to prepare. I don’t know how the pitches can turn any more than this one did – it ragged.
“I said before the series I thought India were better off preparing a flatter wicket than one with more turn.”
On the other hand, West Indies also stunned Australia in the Gabba Test match as they won by eight runs after Shamar Joseph bagged seven wickets. Vaughan reckons West Indies’ future in Test cricket will depend on the distribution of wealth.
“West Indies arrived with seven debutants in their squad – four have made their debuts. They have all contributed. One of those, Shamar Joseph, has bowled his heart out, with an injured toe, to deliver West Indies a magical win.
“But West Indies’ future depends on the distribution of wealth. There’s a great danger that Shamar Joseph goes down the Twenty20 route.”
The second Test match between India and England will be played at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam from 2nd February.
