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Just a few more days are left when Shubman Gill-led Team India will take on England in a five-match Test series starting on June 20. Having won their last Test series in England in 2007, India will miss the services of their star seniors players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as the duo called off their respective red-ball careers. After that, Gill has been appointed as new Test captain of India but wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant as vice-captain.
It won’t be an easy task for the new-looking Indian team to challenge at their home ground. Apart from that, the Men in Blue also have a big task to win a Test series on English soil after 18 years. However, former Australian captain, Michael Clarke believes that the Indian team can do well in England despite not having Rohit and Kohli in the squad. The 2015 ODI World Cup winning captain said that their retirement will give others a chance to shine in the upcoming tour.
“Yes, I do give them a chance, but it’s a much more inexperienced team than I expected to go to England. Not having Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is significant. Players come and go, people retire, and the game moves on. A new captain isn’t necessarily a bad thing for India. Retirement opens up opportunities for others," Clarke said as quoted by News18.
The main concern is Indian bowling attack: Michael Clarke
Although Michale Clarke has confidence in India to do well in England, he is also concerned about the Indian bowling lineup ahead of the upcoming Test series. The former cricketer spoke about Jasprit Bumrah not playing all five Test matches and also opined that Mohammed Shami can turn out to be a big miss for India.
“The main concern for me is the Indian bowling attack. We know Bumrah can’t play all five Tests. Which matches will he play? Winning the first three could make the last two irrelevant, but I don’t think that will happen. His appearances need to be spaced out for his body’s sake," Clarke said. .
“Missing Shami is also a big deal. His absence in the Australian series was significant, and having him alongside a fit Bumrah could have changed the outcome. However, India has immense talent. Talent-wise, India will always be strong. It’s just a matter of how quickly these players make their mark. Playing five Tests in England is tough, and they need to be aware of that,” he further added.
