India vs England 2021: Gautam Gambhir Reckons Both Teams Will Start On Equal Terms As Motera Is A New Venue

Former Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir feels that both teams will start on equal terms in the pink ball Test between India and England as the new Motera pitch still remains a mystery. India won the second test to level the series at 1-1 through the all-around efforts of Ravichandran Ashwin who picked up a fifer and a century in the same test.

India needs to win the series by a minimum of 2-1 margin to progress to the World Test championship finals against New Zealand at Lords in the month of June. England needs to win the remaining two tests to qualify for the finals while Australia will go through if England manages to draw the series or win it 2-1.

A lot will depend on the pink ball Test at Motera which is a newly built enormous stadium with a huge capacity.

 “Nobody Knows How Will The Ball Move, Seam, Or Bounce” – Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir opined that the pitch will be new to both the teams and no one will start as favourites. It will be a tough choice for the captain to select the team without knowing how the pitch is going to play. The Chennai pitch had assisted spin over the years, and there wasn’t any mystery behind it.

“It’s a new stadium, a new wicket and the Test match will be played with the pink ball. So, nobody knows how will the ball move, seam or bounce. Plus, it’s a new venue for both teams, hence both teams will start on equal terms.

“If we talk about Chennai, then Team India knew the pitch conditions. But in Motera, neither India nor England can judge the condition of the pitch.” Gautam Gambhir said speaking on Cricket Connected Show on Star Sports.

“Joe Root Would’ve Been Happy” – Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir mentioned that Joe Root will be happy to enter the pink ball test with the series scoreline of 1-1 and added that both the teams have a good quality of fast bowlers. England will be hoping that the pitch assists the seamers which might shift the odds in the direction of England.

“Joe Root would’ve been happy, if someone would’ve told him that they will enter the pink-ball Test with a 1-1 score.

“Team India has the arsenal of fast bowling — which could be troublesome for England, and vice versa England also has a fast bowling attack. It will be interesting to see the kind of wicket the teams get,” Gautam Gambhir stated.

Joe Root, Virat Kohli. Image-Twitter.Umesh Yadav has been added to the Indian squad for the Pink ball match after clearing the fitness tests