Gavaskar relieved after "boring" England series

Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar has slammed the England side which lost a three-Test series last week as the "most boring side to have played cricket in India".

Had the series, won 1-0 by the hosts, been played over five matches, Indian cricket would have lost a huge number of spectators, Gavaskar wrote in his column in the Hindustan Times daily on Thursday.

"At the end of the third Test, the overwhelming feeling was one of relief," he said, reviewing the series which ended on Sunday.

"Why is our board keen on having a five-Test series when England visit India next is beyond comprehension, for without the slightest doubt, they are the most unattractive and boring side to have played cricket in India," he said.

The Indian board wants England to play five Tests on their next Test tour in 2006 and a sixth one-dayer during the January 22-February 3 Indian series for India to fulfil their commitment to play four Tests rather than three in England next year.

The leading batsman of the 1970's and '80s has been highly critical of Nasser Hussain's side after the second Ahmedabad Test, dominated by England, ended in a tame draw.

India won the first Mohali Test by 10 wickets while the rain-hit final game in Bangalore also ended in a draw.

Gavaskar said all past home Test series against England have been dull affairs, barring 1993 when the hosts swept a three-Test series.

"Except the 1993 contest that India won 3-0, the others have been battles of attrition full of dull cricket from both sides - mainly initiated by England - and have been good only for people suffering from insomnia.

"It was another eminently forgettable series and we must thank our stars that the next England tour is in 2006," he added.

Gavaskar had some praise for Hussain after England dominated the second and third drawn games.

"That the Englishmen drew the two Tests and also looked in control for the better part, shows the work done on the mental side by Nasser Hussain."

England's tour of India : Complete coverage

Mail Cricket Editor