‘There is a massive difference in losing between series 3-2 and 4-1’ – Michael Vaughan backs Ben Stokes led-side to win 5th Test vs India

Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan has backed his side to win the fifth Test match against India, which is set to start from March 7 at HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. Notably, the Ben Stokes-led side showed a dominant performance in the first Test match in Hyderabad, but they failed to continue the momentum and went on to lose the next three Test matches.

However, Michael Vaughan feels that there is a significant difference in losing the Test series with 3-2 and 4-1. The former batting legend feels that the team should try to lose the series by 3-2 rather than 4-1. In addition, the former batting legend feels that two wins in a host country like India will be a great achievement for England.

“The series may have been lost already with a game to spare but a big week looms for England in Dharamsala. There is a massive difference between losing the series 3-2 and 4-1. You have lost either way but 3-2 would show England were right in this series for much of it, and two wins in India is an achievement,” Michael Vaughan said being quoted by TOI.

It’s a huge week for a number of England’s batsmen: Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan also accepted that India is standing in the dominant position, and they haven’t lost two Test matches in the series on their home soil since 2012. Moreover, the former English skipper feels that their side is going through rough form as they had poor form in the ODI World Cup 2023, then lost the series against the West Indies and now lost the Test series against India.

“India haven’t lost two matches in a series at home since 2012. 4-1 would be a very disappointing end to a disappointing winter, with the World Cup debacle, both white-ball series lost in the Caribbean and even a poor World Cup for the Under 19s. It’s a huge week for a number of England’s batsmen. When we think of this England team, we think of their wonderfully dynamic batting. But when you look at why they haven’t won any of their last three series, it’s down to the batting,” he added further.