‘I think India will win’: Michael Atherton’s bold prediction ahead of five-match Test series

Michael Atherton has made a bold prediction ahead of five-match Test series between India and England, starting from Thursday.

Former England captain says the India’s spinners are better than India and it will be the difference between two sides.

In Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, India have picked four spinners in their team. On the other hand, England too are bringing four specialist spinners including Jack Leach, Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed. But barring Leach all of them are inexperienced.

“I think India will win. Their spinners are better than England’s and that will be the defining thing in the end,” Atherton told Sky Sports.

“If you go to India, spin will play a big part, it historically has done and I suspect it always will do. India do have a very strong seam attack as well.

“India’s four spinners are very different to England’s. They have two left-arm finger spinners in Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. They have a wrist spinner in Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the greatest spinners of all time,” Atherton said.

“England have a solid left-arm spinner in Jack Leach and then three very inexperienced spinners after that with Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed. It will be a particular challenge for them but the selectors see a high ceiling for them,” Atherton said.

Ahead of the first Test, England have suffered a major setback as they will without Harry Brook, who has gone back due to personal reasons.

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