England vs India 2018, 5th Test: Indian Batsmen Has to Perform in The Oval Test - Gautam Gambhir

Out of favour Team India opener, Gautam Gambhir maintained that he is looking forward to the final Oval Test between India and England despite the series already getting decided at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

India competed very well in the series. However, they failed to seize the crucial opportunities which resulted in yet another series defeat in overseas conditions.

“Looking forward to the last Test. Obviously, the series is done and dusted. But India has everything to play for. They have competed really well. But in international cricket, it is not only about competing but winning Test matches. The positive has been the bowling attack. They have put England under pressure all the time. It’s just that the batters haven’t been able to put runs on the board,” Gambhir said in his video column to ToI.

“There were two instances in Edgbaston and Southampton where India could have won both the Test matches. They should have chased both the targets down. But it just didn’t happen. So I feel India would be looking to win the 5^th Test match and make it 3-2 rather than 4-1. Looking forward to the match. Oval is a great venue to host a Test match,” Gambhir asserted.

“It is a beautiful wicket. Once you are in you can score a lot of runs. The outfield is very quick as well. I am sure that some of the batters who are under pressure have to deliver. If you don’t win the series and end up losing by a 4-1 and if you have not performed obviously there are a lot of pressures in the selection as well,” Gambhir added.

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“So, I am sure some of the batters who have not performed in the series will look to put their hands up and perform in the final opportunity they will get in the series,” Gambhir further added.

The Oval Test is currently underway, and the visiting team will want to finish the tour on a high. The bowling performances have been quite exceptional. They have bagged 140 wickets in their last seven overseas Tests. Still, they have won just two of the previous six Tests. However, Gautam Gambhir is hopeful of the better feature.

It goes onto prove that their batters haven’t lived upto the expectations in the series so far. In conclusion, Gautam Gambhir earlier believed the Southampton target was possible to chase down for India against England.