Former Indian captain Kapil Dev has reckoned that India’s biggest challenge has been finding the right team rhythm in the ongoing England tour, adding that England holds a slight edge over the visitors in the third and final ODI at Lord’s, London, on Sunday, July 19.
Speaking to IANS, Kapil Dev has felt that Team India’s inability to gel as a settled unit has been the main reason behind their T20I series defeat and the ODI series moving to the decider on Sunday. He went on to insist that England holds a slight edge because of home conditions.
“I think both teams are 50-50 at the moment. Since England is playing at home, you can say they have a slight edge, maybe 51 percent,” Kapil told IANS.
“Looking at the way our team has performed in the T20Is and so far in the ODI series, I don’t think the team has gelled completely yet. If this Indian side starts clicking as a unit, I would even give them a 60 percent chance,” he added.
India will enter the final ODI of the series at Lord’s on the back of a four-wicket defeat to England in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, courtesy of Joe Root’s unbeaten 99-run knock off 133 balls.
Additionally, the 1983 World Cup-winning captain also defended the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir amid discussions surrounding the team’s recent performances, saying the decision on Gambhir’s future lies with the BCCI and the Selection Committee.
“That is up to the cricket board and the selection committee to decide. I think he has done a fairly good job, and I wish him all the best,” Kapil concluded.
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