‘England, India are 2 vulnerable batting line-ups’ – Nasser Hussain makes a bold prediction for third Test

Former England skipper Nasser Hussain feels both England and India will have an even chance of winning the third Test in Headingley. Hussain explained that both England and India have a vulnerable batting lineup thus no team will start the match as favourites. England batting heavily depends on Joe Root and once he is dismissed, a collapse is always on the cards. India, on the other hand, despite having some big names, have struggled as a batting unit mainly because of the dry run of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane.

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"England had a mad hour but that's the brilliance of Test cricket. The game can change so often over five days. It could be different at Headingley. It has looked very flat this year. But these are two vulnerable batting line-ups," Hussain told the Daily Mail.

India’s last win in England came in 2007 when Rahul Dravid took India to a 1-0 win over Michael Vaughan’s England. However, looking at the current England team, one can say this is Virat Kohli’s best chance to claim an elusive series win.

England lost Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes ahead of the series while Stuart Broad was ruled out after picking up an ankle injury after the first Test. Mark Wood too is in doubt for the third Test after injuring his shoulder in London. Despite this, Hussain feels England can take heart from the fact that they dominated India for most part of the second Test.

"It will be difficult with so many bowlers out injured, and the way England are batting. But, I repeat, they were in a position to win the second Test on the final morning so that game wasn't all bad," said Hussain.