Big Opportunity To Upset The Home Team - Brad Hogg Says India Can Defeat England In The 5-Test Series

Former Australia spinner Brad Hogg feels that Team India has a “big opportunity” to register a series win in England, for the first time since 2007, in their upcoming 5-Test series, starting August 4 at Trent Bridge.

Brad Hogg was asked by a fan on Twitter to make predictions for the high-profile series next month.

He made a couple of points: Virat Kohli’s side has a point to prove after losing the WTC final to New Zealand last month; and that England are currently having a fragile batting top order – they lost to New Zealand last month, their first home series loss since 2014 as the Kiwis bowlers bossed the home batters.

“India have a point to prove. England batting still not stable also gives them a big opportunity to upset the home team,” Brad Hogg wrote on Twitter.

India defeated England 3-1 in the home series earlier in the year; they would be looking to emulate their series win away from home.

India have a point to prove. England batting still not stable also gives them a big opportunity to upset the home team. #INDvENG https://t.co/zHA7F3aDV3

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) July 5, 2021

Prithvi Shaw could be a wild card choice to replace Pujara: Brad Hogg

Brad Hogg also made a surprising and eyebrow-raising statement by saying that Prithvi Shaw should be the batsman to replace the out-of-form Cheteshwar Pujara if the management is thinking of dropping the number 3.

Considering the two contrasting styles of playing of Shaw and Pujara, the 50-year-old former spinner added that Shaw is a long-term prospect and would be “more suited” at number 3 than at opening.  The opener is currently in Sri Lanka for the white-ball matches with the second-string squad, however, Brad Hogg reckons he could be a wild card entry for later in the Test series.

“If anyone was going to replace Pujara it would be Prithvi Shaw. Feel he is more suited there than opening. Has a lot of talent and long future. He is not in the tour group but a wild card choice,” the chinaman opined.

If anyone was going to replace Pujara it would be Prithvi Shaw. Feel he is more suited there than opening. Has a lot of talent and long future. He is not in the tour group but a wild card choice. #EngvIND https://t.co/8wEF82aq1A

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) July 2, 2021

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