India have an “even-money chance” of beating England in England in the upcoming five-match Test series owing to their formidable pace-bowling unit, believes Ian Chappell.

According to the legendary former Australia captain, India, notwithstanding their defeat in the World Test Championship final to New Zealand in Southampton, has become a “pace-bowling proficient” team in recent years, joining the likes of the West Indies and Australian sides of the past.

Chappell, thus, backs the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and other Indian quicks to up the ante on Joe Root and his men this time as well, something they had done to a fair extent during their last tour of England in 2018.

“In recent years, India have joined the ranks of pace-bowling proficient teams. As a consequence, they have enjoyed success in Australia, reached the final of the WTC, and now have an even-money chance of beating England on their home turf,” Chappell wrote in ESPNCricinfo. “Good pace bowling definitely has its advantages,” he added.

Chappell, one of the best analysts of the game, was obviously effusive in his praise for the New Zealand fast bowlers, mentioning them in the same breath as the fearsome West Indian pace-bowling quartets from the 1970s to mid 90s.

“New Zealand’s well-deserved win in the WTC final highlighted an accepted adage in cricket: fast bowling rules,” he said. “New Zealand’s pace quartet that features Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Kyle Jamieson made possible their presence felt in the final.

“Then in the prolonged battle with India for supremacy, they led the last-day victory charge. Such was the influence of the New Zealand attack that there was even a comparison with the formidable West Indies quartets of the late-1970s to the mid-1990s.”