<img title="Middle-order batsman Joe Root and Alastair Cook drives against Pakistan in the 2016 Old Trafford Test at Manchester. Pic/Getty Images" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/nov/7Joe-Root-1.jpg" alt="Middle-order batsman Joe Root and Alastair Cook drives against Pakistan in the 2016 Old Trafford Test at Manchester. Pic/Getty Images" /> Middle-order batsman Joe Root and Alastair Cook drives against Pakistan in the 2016 Old Trafford Test at Manchester. Pic/Getty Images
England, who succumbed to a shock Test defeat to Bangladesh in Dhaka on October 30, start as underdogs in this week's Test series against India.
However, former England captain Geoff Boycott reckoned that Virat Kohli's Indian team cannot rule out an upswing from Alastair Cook &amp; Co. "Everybody knows who is the favourite. It is not like a horse race where everyone is struggling to figure out who the winner will be. Here, it is a one-horse race as India are playing at home. India will have to play really bad cricket to lose to England," remarked Boycott.
At the same time, the 76-year-old Yorkshireman felt it won't be India all the way. "Foreign teams have found it difficult to adjust with the climatic and pitch conditions in India, but England will not be the same as they have played in a neighbouring country (Bangladesh) where pitch conditions are similar. That should help the English team settle down quickly.
Also Read: <a href="http://www.mid-day.com/articles/england-skipper-alastair-cook-five-match-test-series-india-cricket-news/17737166" target="_blank">England skipper Alastair Cook confident ahead of the five-match Test series</a>
"England have spent good time in Bangladesh, so it will not be a bad situation for them to adapt. The Bangladesh experience should help England fight here in India. Moreover, injuries to Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan should help England," said Boycott.
The batting great, who toured India as part of Keith Fletcher's team in 1981-82, felt England have depth in batting beyond Cook and Joe Root. "Everybody is focusing on Cook and Root. But in lower-middle order we have Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad, all of whom, have anchored the team to victory. I believe it will be difficult for India to win all five Test matches," said Boycott.
Asked about the Dhaka Test defeat, Boycott said he wasn't surprised. "England should have not lost that Test. But considering Bangladesh's record in limited overs game, their cricket is on the rise and some day, it (beating a higher ranked team) was bound to happen," he said.
Read Story: <a href="http://www.mid-day.com/articles/rohit-sharma-beat-england-india-test-matches-cricket-news/17735190" target="_blank">Rohit Sharma: It won't be easy to beat England</a>
Boycott praised young spinner Mehedi Hasan for his 19 wickets in two Test matches. "Bangladesh have found a strike bowler in the form of Mehedi. If he continues to surprise us, it will be good for the game as we need young talents like him," he said.
Boycott arrived in India 10 days ago with wife Rachel and daughter Emma. They were recently in Agra to see the Taj Mahal. Since he is part of the BBC commentary team for the series, Boycott will stay back while his family will return to England today.

England start as underdogs in Test series against India. However, former England captain Geoff Boycott reckons Virat Kohli's Indian team cannot rule out an upswing from Alastair Cook & Co

I don't see India beating England 5-0: Geoff Boycott

Bangladeshi cricketer Shahadat Hossain acquitted in maid torture case

England start as underdogs in Test series against India. However, former England captain Geoff Boycott reckons Virat Kohli's Indian team cannot rule out an upswing from Alastair Cook &amp; Co

I don't see India beating England 5-0: Geoff Boycott

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Sports / Cricket / Article / I don't see India beating England 5-0: Geoff Boycott

I don't see India beating England 5-0: Geoff Boycott

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast