India’s former legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar has predicted that Virat Kohli’s team could repeat what Ajit Wadekar’s team did in 1971.
On August 24, India completed 50 years of memorable series win in England. This was India’s first overseas Test win as well as the series win.
Ajit Wadekar-led team won the final Test match by four wickets at Oval and created history. Meanwhile, India are currently leading by 1-0 in the five-match Test series against England as they won the second Test match at Lord’s by a massive margin of 151 runs.
On the other hand, Gavaskar had earlier predicted that India will go on to win the Test series by either 4-0 or 3-1 as England are a bleak team as they are overly dependent on the shoulders of Joe Root and James Anderson.
“So now this time around too, at The Oval, India will clinch the series just like we did way back in 1971. Be rest assured of that. This team will repeat what 1971 Wadekar’s team did,” Gavaskar said in a video on his official Instagram handle.
“50 years ago, on August 24th, India won a Test in England for the first time and with it the Test series. What a day it was… It was truly unforgettable. The crowds that lined up the Oval was something similar to what happened in 1983. Of course, 1983 was much bigger because the whole of Lord’s cricket ground seemed to be taken by Indian supporters. But it was truly unforgettable(India’s first Test win), truly memorable.
Meanwhile, Gavaskar recalled the heroes of the 1971 win who played a key role in the team’s win. The Little Master added Bhagwath Chandrasekhar played an instrumental role in the team’s triumph as he returned with figures of 6-38 and thus England were skittled out for 101 runs in the second innings.
“Ajit Wadekar led the side superbly and there was some tremendous batting by Farokh Engineer, Gundappa Viswanath, Dilip Sardesai to take us home. But above all, it was BS Chandrasekhar six wickets for 38 that dismissed England for only 101 in the second innings and paved the way for India to win,” he said.
