It Will be a Bookable Offence If India Lose Series Against England and Australia - Ian Chappell

Former Australia legend Ian Chappell feels India losing back-to-back Test series — in England and against a depleted Australia side would be a bookable offence.

Meanwhile, India are currently in England playing a five-match Test series with already 2-0 down. However, they have started the third Test on a positive note and will be desperate to bounce back.

Ian Chappell, however, admitted India had a great chance to beat England and Australia before reaching the UK. He feels it would have been a great achievement if they could have done that.

“Prior to reaching the UK, India had a glorious opportunity to defeat two heavyweights in England and Australia in consecutive away Test series. Had they done so, it would have been a laudable achievement,” Chappell wrote in ESPNcricinfo.

Furthermore, he added India are in danger of providing a depleted Australian team with a confidence boost. Moreover, it would be a bookable offence if India loses both the series, feels Ian Chappell.

“Now Kohli’s team are in danger of not only wilting tamely against England but also of providing a depleted Australian team with a confidence boost, to the point where they will feel their chances of victory at home have greatly improved. “If India were to lose both series, it would be a bookable offence,” he added.

Defining period in Kohli’s captaincy: Ian Chappell

The Australian great feels the next few months will be the defining period in India skipper Virat Kohli’s captaincy. Chappell thinks if Kohli can find a way to counter James Anderson and England quicks, then he will go down as an example.

“The next few months will be a defining period in Kohli’s captaincy career. He has already shown on many occasions that he’s a master batsman; if he can resurrect this Indian team and find a way to thwart Anderson and his English cohorts, then it will go down as an example of masterful leadership,” Ian Chappell concluded.