Sunil Gavaskar has delivered a stark assessment of the India vs. England Test series, currently poised on a knife's edge. With England needing just 35 runs to win the fifth and final Test, and India requiring four wickets, the legendary cricketer didn't mince words about the two teams' respective performances.
Gavaskar's comments came amidst a tense final Test, where India, despite setting a target of 374, found themselves on the brink of defeat. Yashasvi Jaiswal's century, coupled with half-centuries from Akash Deep, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, initially put India in a strong position. However, England mounted a comeback, leaving the series result hanging in the balance.
Speaking on Sony Sports Network, Gavaskar offered a blunt analysis: "Overall, if you add up all the games, it's a bit like that - one team has won more games, the other more sets". He clarified that ultimately, the result is what truly matters. Unless India manages to win the final Test and level the series, Gavaskar believes that England deserves the distinction of being the superior team. He emphasized that winning individual sessions holds little significance if the series lead isn't reflected in the final score.
Throughout the series, India has struggled to capitalize on winning positions. Despite moments of dominance, the team has faltered, allowing England to fight their way back into contention. In the first Test at Headingley, what was expected to be a dominant day for India instead raised numerous questions. Gavaskar had previously criticized India's mistakes, particularly singling out Yashasvi Jaiswal for missed fielding opportunities.
Gavaskar has also previously taken aim at England's perceived arrogance and "sarcastic remarks" towards the Indian team. Following the drawn fourth Test, he criticized England's delayed declaration and referenced their past boasts about chasing high scores, pointing out their failure to do so in the second Test.
In the context of the fifth Test, Gavaskar didn't hold back on his assessment of the pitch conditions at The Oval, remarking on the surface that heavily favored seam bowlers. He noted that while Gus Atkinson impressed, other English seamers lacked consistency, further highlighting the unevenness in England's bowling attack.
Despite the possibility of India drawing the series, Gavaskar has emphasized that a draw would only reflect India's competitiveness, but not necessarily their superiority. He stated that only a series-levelling victory would truly acknowledge India's dominance. As England edged closer to the target, Gavaskar's assessment grew increasingly blunt, especially after Harry Brook's rapid century, aided by a dropped catch, significantly diminished India's chances.
Notably, Shubman Gill, who had an impressive tour, narrowly missed breaking Gavaskar's record for the most runs by an Indian batter in a Test series. Gill finished the series with 754 runs, just shy of Gavaskar's 774 runs scored against West Indies in 1970-71. Gavaskar praised Gill's performance, particularly highlighting the added responsibility Gill carried as captain.
