Ex-Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron has made a bold claim ahead of the remaining two Tests of the series against England. Not only has Aaron backed the tourists to draw the series in the fourth Test in Manchester but also lift the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy.
India suffered a heartbreaking 22-run defeat in the third Test at the Lord's Cricket Ground to go down 2-1 in the five-match series. With 193 to chase down, India had crashed to 112/8 at one stage but Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj fought tooth and nail. In the end, Ben Stokes found a way through to win the Test.
Speaking on Start Sports, the 35-year-old stated:
"Mujhe nahin lagta zyaada changes dikhenge kyunki India competition mein rahi hai teenon game mein. Zyaada difference nahin hua hai donon ki beech mein. Bas gaps ko close karna hoga. Definitely, India 2-2 kar ke niklegi Manchester se aur Oval mein final mukaabla hoga is series ka jisme decider hoga woh match. Aur mujhe lagta hai India hee jeetegi yeh series, main abhi bhi main optimistic hoon kyunki India is playing great cricket. Khaali woh gaps hain unko kam karna hoga."
(I don't think we will see too many changes because India have been in the competition in all three matches. There's not much to separate the two sides. India must close some gaps though. India will make it 2-2 in Manchester and Oval will witness the series-decider. I'm still optimistic that India will win the series because they are playing great cricket but they must close some gaps.)
Shubman Gill the leading run-getter of the series despite a forgettable Test at Lord's
Meanwhile, Indian skipper Shubman Gill is still the leading run-getter of the series despite scores of 16 and 6 at Lord's that ultimately resulted in a 22-run defeat. With 607 runs in three Tests and averaging over 100, the youngster is the top run-getter by some margin.
However, India will need a big contribution from him in Manchester if they are to win their first Test at the venue in nine attempts.
