NEW DELHI: Out-of-favour India batter Cheteshwar Pujara took a light-hearted dig at former England captain Michael Vaughan by asking him to autograph a framed copy of his incorrect prediction from the 2020–21 India-Australia Test series. The cheeky moment unfolded in the studio ahead of the first Test between India and England at Headingley, Leeds, on Friday, June 20.Pujara surprised Vaughan by presenting him with a printed version of his old post on social media, in which Vaughan had confidently predicted a 4-0 whitewash of India in Australia. Both Pujara and Vaughan are part of the commentary panel for the ongoing five-match Test series.The exchange left fellow commentators, including Sunil Gavaskar and Harsha Bhogle, thoroughly amused.Vaughan’s tweet had read: “Told ya … India are going to get hammered in the Test Series … #AUSvIND #4-0.”India famously defied that prediction, clinching the series 2-1 despite the absence of key players like Mohammed Shami and captain Virat Kohli. The team drew the Sydney Test and chased down 328 on the final day at Brisbane to seal one of its most historic overseas series wins.In the first Test currently underway at Leeds, England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bowl first. India handed a debut to Sai Sudharsan, while Karun Nair made his comeback to the Test team after eight years.England, meanwhile, fielded a relatively inexperienced bowling attack, with frontline pacers Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Gus Atkinson unavailable due to injuries.True to form, Vaughan has once again backed England to win the series, but Indian fans remain hopeful under new Test captain Shubman Gill.
India’s last Test series win in England came in 2007, when Rahul Dravid led the team to a 1-0 victory. Their most recent tour in 2021–22 ended in a 2-2 draw.While England has maintained an unbeaten home Test series record under Ben Stokes’s leadership since mid-2022, the current challenge is compounded by their depleted bowling unit.India will be eyeing their first Test series win on English soil in 17 years, while England look to preserve their formidable home record under Stokes.
