Virat Kohli’s India will rehash Ajit Wadekar-drove side’s 1971 accomplishment against England: Sunil Gavaskar

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KEY STORY

  • Sunil Gavaskar has backed Virat Kohli-led India to beat England and create history in the ongoing five-match series between the two sides. Gavaskar believes Kohli’s India will repeat the feat of Ajit Wadekar’s side from 1971 by registering a Test series victory in England. Wadekar had led India to its maiden Test series win on English soil in 1971.
  • Wadekar’s side had drawn the first two games of the three-match series against the hosts in 1971 before winning the final third Test at Oval by four wickets to clinch the series 1-0. Kohli’s India have had a magnificent start to the ongoing series with a draw and a win in the first two Tests so far.
  • Speaking in a video on his Instagram channel, Gavaskar said Indian fans should be rest assured that Kohli’s team will repeat what Wadekar’s India did in 1971. “So now this time around too, at The Oval, India will clinch the series just like we did way back in 1971. Be rest assured of that. This team will repeat what 1971 Wadekar’s team did,” Gavaskar said.
  • Gavaskar, who was part of the Wadekar-led Indian Test team which defeated England in its own backyard, recalled his experience of featuring in the memorable encounter at the Oval. He praised the likes of Farokh Engineer, Gundappa Viswanath, Dilip Sardesai and Wadekar who were the heroes of India’s victory.
  • “50 years ago, on August 24th, India won a Test in England for the first time and with it the Test series. What a day it was… It was truly unforgettable. The crowds that lined up the Oval was something similar to what happened in 1983. Of course, 1983 was much bigger because the whole of Lord’s cricket ground seemed to be taken by Indian supporters. But it was truly unforgettable(India’s first Test win), truly memorable,” said Gavaskar.
  • “Ajit Wadekar led the side superbly and there was some tremendous batting by Farokh Engineer, Gundappa Viswanath, Dilip Sardesai to take us home. But above all, it was BS Chandrasekhar six wickets for 38 that dismissed England for only 101 in the second innings and paved the way for India to win,” he added.

CONCLUSION

  • The current Indian team under Kohli has tightened the noose around Joe Root & Co. with their dominant performances in the first two Tests and will be looking to make it two wins in a row when they lock horns in the third Test at Headingley, Leeds starting from Wednesday (August 25).
  • A win in Leeds will help India attain an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

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