Putting frailties of past behind, James Anderson can take the Indian challenge like never before

How could you challenge a career worth 606 Test wickets at an under 27 average against the daunting prospect of dominating in Asia? When a contemporary like Dale Steyn was scampering the life beneath and uprooting the stumps with the swagger of a man possessed, every single bowler would seem a tad underwhelming, but will that matter in front of the Englishman? You could never look for a sane perspective and hope to return unscathed. 

With Jimmy, though, you always get a vibe - a vibe strong enough to draw a reaction from the most reticent human out there. At his best, he was in your face - ask Mitchell Johnson, he will tell you - and at worst, he was always pampering for sugarcoating excuses. After the Ashes 2019, he was complaining of England not using the home advantage enough and when Virat Kohli scored a double ton against England in 2016 after the frailties of 2014, he felt nothing of that sort mattered till Kohli succeeded in England. Nevermind, Kohli did succeed two years later across the lengths and breaths of the United Kingdom but Anderson was pushing the limit like no one else could.

Since 2014, where he is arguably at his best, his average of 21.48 in 66 Tests is a stand-out feature. But what is more interesting to notice that everywhere but India, he averaged below 30. Before coming down to Sri Lanka recently, he averaged 105 with the ball but a six-wicket burst in Galle changed that narrative for good and he has a sublime 21.57 average from three Tests now, however, skewed that is. 

India now remains a fort where he has had a considerable amount of frailties. Doesn’t matter whether MS Dhoni thought he was the real difference behind India losing to England 2-1 at home, it is a trajectory he has to surpass in order to shut many mouths for good. Not that it will have an impact on his legacy, for he has done enough to be among the pantheon of cricketing greats and perhaps adorning one of the top echelons, but because we know with Anderson how little things sometimes spur things up. 

A backs-to-the-wall performance on a spinning track to dismiss six Sri Lankan batsmen in a single innings was an achievement to be proud of. The way he adopted and then quickly put that to effect on a day of abject surrender by their spinners showcased how vital he still has been to England’s plans even at this age. 

The Chennai wicket will reportedly have a bit more purchase than usual, especially keeping India’s fantastic pace unit and the absence of Ravindra Jadeja in mind, but that might also bring Anderson to the game. He had been here, done what was necessarily the donkey’s job and nevermind can actually leave a footprint behind just the way Ashwin has in Australia this time. For an ever-progressing cricketer like James Anderson, this might be enough motivation to get the ball rolling and amaze us all once again.