Kapil Dev: England hold slight edge at Lord's as India yet to gel as a unit
Synopsis
Kapil Dev's '51 percent' remark cuts to the heart of India's England tour problem — not talent, but cohesion. With the series level and Lord's on Sunday, the 1983 World Cup winner says India could flip the odds to 60-40 in their favour, but only if they finally click as a unit. That's a big 'if' with the series on the line.
Key Takeaways
Kapil Dev gives England a 51 percent edge in the series decider at Lord's , citing home conditions.
The ODI series is level at 1-1 ; England won the second match in Cardiff by four wickets , with Joe Root scoring an unbeaten 99 .
Kapil says India could be rated at 60 percent if the team gels as a settled unit.
Virat Kohli returned to form with 65 in Cardiff; Rohit Sharma needs a significant knock in the decider.
An India win at Lord's would end a 22-year drought at the venue and clinch their eighth bilateral ODI series win over England since 2010 .
Kapil backed coach Gautam Gambhir , saying any decision on his future rests with the BCCI and selectors.
Former India captain Kapil Dev has said England hold a slight edge heading into the series-deciding third ODI at Lord's on Sunday, citing the hosts' familiarity with home conditions and India's inability to settle as a cohesive unit as the key factors shaping the contest.
Series Situation
The three-match ODI series is locked at 1-1. India claimed the opener at Edgbaston, but England levelled with a four-wicket win in Cardiff, powered by Joe Root's unbeaten 99. The winner-takes-all decider at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground now holds the series in the balance.
What Kapil Dev Said
The 1983 World Cup-winning captain described the contest as broadly even but tipped England marginally. 'I think both teams are 50-50 at the moment. Since England are playing at home, you can say they have a slight edge, maybe 51 percent,' Kapil said.
He was more pointed about India's shortcomings. 'Looking at the way our team has performed in the T20Is and so far in the ODI series, I don't think the team has gelled completely yet. If this Indian side starts clicking as a unit, I would even give them a 60 percent chance,' he added.
India's Positives and Concerns
Virat Kohli returned to form with a fluent 65 in Cardiff, and Jasprit Bumrah remains the anchor of the bowling attack. However, captain Rohit Sharma will be under pressure to deliver a significant contribution after an inconsistent run with the bat. India's T20I series defeat on the same tour has already raised questions about team combination and balance.
England's Strengths
England will again lean heavily on Root, whose remarkable consistency in ODI cricket has been central to their fightback. Playing at home, the hosts carry the twin advantages of conditions and momentum from Cardiff.
What Hangs in the Balance
A win at Lord's would end India's 22-year wait for an ODI victory at the ground and secure their eighth bilateral ODI series win over England since 2010. Kapil also backed India head coach Gautam Gambhir, saying any decision on his future rests with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the selection committee. 'I think he has done a fairly good job, and I wish him all the best,' Kapil said. The Lord's decider on Sunday will serve as a significant referendum on where this Indian side stands under Gambhir's watch.
Point of View
But the underlying message is sharper: India have not found their best eleven across an entire England tour, and that is a coaching and selection problem, not a talent one. The T20I series loss followed by a drawn ODI series going to a decider reflects a side still searching for identity under Gambhir. Lord's on Sunday is less a cricket match and more a stress test for the team's management structure — and the result will inevitably colour the BCCI's thinking on Gambhir's tenure well beyond this tour.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kapil Dev say about the India vs England Lord's ODI decider?
Kapil Dev said England hold a slight edge of around 51 percent due to home conditions, but added that India could rise to a 60 percent chance if the team gels as a settled unit. He described the contest as broadly 50-50 in terms of talent.
Why is the third ODI at Lord's a series decider?
The three-match ODI series between India and England is level at 1-1. India won the first ODI at Edgbaston, and England levelled with a four-wicket victory in Cardiff, making the Lord's match on Sunday a winner-takes-all contest.
How did England win the second ODI in Cardiff?
England won the second ODI in Cardiff by four wickets, with Joe Root playing an unbeaten knock of 99 to power the hosts to victory and level the series.
What is at stake for India at Lord's?
A win at Lord's would end India's 22-year wait for an ODI victory at the ground and secure their eighth bilateral ODI series win over England since 2010.
What did Kapil Dev say about India coach Gautam Gambhir?
Kapil Dev backed Gautam Gambhir, saying the decision on his future lies with the BCCI and the selection committee. 'I think he has done a fairly good job, and I wish him all the best,' Kapil said.
