Botham Tips England To Beat India

The legendary England allrounder Ian Botham has tipped Alastair Cook’s side to beat India by a 3-1 or a 2-0 margin in the upcoming five-match Investec Test series.

The war of words is on. Despite England's on and off field struggles, Botham feels that The Three Lions will exploit the weaknesses in the touring side to beat them evens. "It's got to be an England win for me,” Ian Botham was quoted as saying in his special feature Beefy Bets on skysports.com. “India's batting is very strong but it's their bowling department where they are weak. "They (England) aren't playing well but I think India's bowlers will struggle and with home advantage England will have the edge."

Despite England missing three key players when they thrashed India 4-0 in 2011, Botham feels that the under-fire England captain will come good against MS Dhoni-led side. "I think England will win the series by two Tests either 3-1 or 2-0, it certainly won't be as one-sided as the last time they met in England," said the Sky Sports pundit.

"The weather is likely to play a part in one or two matches but I think overall England to win 3-1 is a good bet."

Botham, considered as one of the finest allrounders of all time, also hopes that Anderson would help England beat India on way to breaking his record.

"Jimmy Anderson is the man England will look to get the wickets but his price is too short. The value for me is with Ben Stokes. He looks like he's back to fitness and I think they'll play him as he gives the side balance," he added.

Anderson, 31, has 355 Test wickets in 94 matches with an average of 30.36 and Botham says that the bowler can get the remaining 28 wickets during the India series and break his record.