Beating England In England Was The Main Thing – Sunil Gavaskar

Legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar said that his team’s aim was to defeat England in their own conditions and called the rivalry between India and England bigger than any other clash.

India and England have faced each other 130 times in Test cricket alone. Out of which, England won 49 battles whereas India turned victorious on 31 occasions with 50 matches ended with a draw.

India won its first series in England in 1971

Gavaskar was part of the Indian side that defeated England for the first time in a Test series, which was also in their own backyard.

After securing draws in the first Test at Lord’s and the 2nd Test at Old Trafford, India headed to the third Test at Oval for the series-decider match. England put up 355 on the board after winning the toss and opting to bat first.

In response, India lost openers Ashok Mankad and Gavaskar early in the innings but they managed to pile 284runs on the board, thanks to fifties from Dilip Sardesai (54) and wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer (59).

England v India was a bigger rivalry for a long time: Sunil Gavaskar

India fought hard in the second innings as leg-spinner Bhagwat Chandrasekhar picked six wickets and England were bundle out for 101. India once again lost the openers for low scores but captain Ajit Wadekar (45) and Sardesai (40) ensured that the tourists were on the mark to chase 173 as India completed a comprehensive 1-0 series victory.

“For a long time in cricketing history, England v India, was a bigger rivalry than any other. We all wanted to beat England in England — that was the main thing,” said Gavaskar in a trailer video.

Gavaskar’s comments come ahead of Sony Sports launching a docuseries titled ‘Architects in White — India Cricket in England’ to celebrate the pillars of India’s Test wins on English soil.

India are currently leading 2-1 in the five-match Test series against England in England. The Rohit Sharma-led side have a serious chance to win their first Test series in England since 2007.

India face England in the rescheduled fifth Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham, the match starts on July 1.

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