Glenn McGrath expects James Anderson to make Virat Kohli sweat during India's tour of England

Sudhir Gupta 13:12 05/06/2018
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  • Kohli has struggled against James Anderson previously in England.

    Virat Kohli’s battle with James Anderson will be one of the biggest highlights when India embark on their tour of England in July this year. The India skipper has struggled previously on English shores, especially against Anderson.

    Kohli has been able to muster only 134 runs in his 10 previous Test innings in England at a dismal average of 13.40. According to former Australia pacer Glenn McGrath, the Indian batting stalwart will need to adapt to the conditions quickly in England if he is going to have any success this time round.

    “Obviously, Kohli is a more experienced player this time around. There’s no doubt that he’s a quality batsman, but English conditions are pretty tough. When you have got a bowler like James Anderson who knows the conditions so well, it’s going to be a lot of hard work for Kohli,” McGrath was quoted as saying by the Times of India on the sidelines of a coaching stint in Chennai.

    “He has got to be prepared to work hard. He can’t just go out and play his game and hit through the line. He has got to be able to adapt. I’m looking forward to that battle,” the Aussie great added.

    While that upcoming individual battle has got McGrath excited, the Australian believes the duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah will hold the key to India’s fast-bowling hopes on English pitches.

    McGrath believes Bumrah could shine in English conditions.

    McGrath believes Bumrah could shine in English conditions.

    “I think Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah will hold the key. Both of them have got pretty good control. That’s what you need in England. The duke ball has got a pronounced seam. If you get the ball in the right areas consistently, it will do a little bit throughout and they will do well,” McGrath stated.

    The former pacer expressed confidence in the Indian bowling attack shining in England but stressed that it will be the batsmen who will need to step up.

    “I actually think all the Indian pacers will have success in England. It’s just a question of the batsmen getting enough runs,” he said.

    India are slated to play three ODIs and as many T20Is in their tour of England before signing off with a five-match Test series.

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