Former Indian batsman Wasim Jaffer in his recent Youtube video has previewed the first Test match between India and England starting at Trent Bridge from August 4. The Test series also kicks off the second cycle of the World Test Championship. To start his video, Jaffer said that the Indian team is much better prepared for the Test series than they were before the WTC final against New Zealand. He said that reaching England earlier and playing a warm-up game has helped the Indian team to be better prepared for the Test series.

“Indian players are better prepared compared to England since many of their players are playing in The Hundred” said Jaffer.

Moving ahead in his video, Wasim Jaffer then turned his focus to the England team. He said that many of their Test regulars are short of red-ball practice currently as they are playing in The Hundred tournament. He further said that the absence of Ben Stokes from the squad will add extra pressure to the hosts. Jaffer said that with Stokes missing, England skipper Joe Root has to do the bulk of the scoring.

“England players playing in The Hundred are short of red-ball practice which can work as an advantage for the Indian team, said Jaffer.”

The former Indian batsman also weighed in on Stokes’ role as an all-rounder for the current England team and the balance that he brings to the table. Stokes ruled out is a collective blow to England said Jaffer. 

Wasim Jaffer On First Test Between India and England

Wasim Jaffer then pinpointed the conditions that the Indian players will be facing at Trent Bridge. He said that the ball does seam a swing at the venue making James Anderson the toughest bowler to face. Thus he warned the Indian batsmen to score at least 350 to 400 runs in the first innings to make it easier for their bowlers and give them time to pick 20 wickets. In the process, he highlighted India’s failure to make big scores in overseas conditions in recent years. 

He concluded by saying that it is going to be a competitive series. India seems ready and Jaffer said that England are a formidable team despite the absence of Ben Stokes from the series.

“So all in all its going to be an exciting series. There might be issues with team selection but the Indian team. I wish the team all the ver best and lookingforward to some good cricket ahead” Jaffer concluded saying.

Here’s Wasim Jaffer’s India playing XI for the first Test against England: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah

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