Glenn McGrath reveals ability of Indians to play James Anderson will decide Test series

07/27/2018

Aussie great Glenn McGrath has opined that the ability of Indian batsmen to go head-to-head against England pacer James Anderson will be key to the result of the Test series. McGrath also added that Ishant Sharma will have to take the lead role in absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar.

India is slated to play against England in the first Test match of the five-match Test series on August 1 at Birmingham. Virat Kohli & Co. will look to exact revenge on their British counterparts and avenge their recent ODI loss. With the ghost of 2014 lurking at the back of the mind of every Indian player in the squad, especially Kohli, the Men in Blue will be determined to put up a good show against Jow Root & Co.

But McGrath, one of the most successful Test bowlers of all time with 563 wickets from 124 Test matches, reckoned that the fate of the series will lay in the Indian batsmen's ability to play James Anderson.

“Anderson is going to be a big player. It is how the Indian batsmen face his swing and bowling in English conditions. If they can get on top of Anderson, that is going to make a big difference for them. I think for them he is definitely going to be the key,” McGrath told reporters in England.

India had an exceptional home season where they beat the likes of England, Australia, and New Zealand on their way to equalling Australia's record of nine consecutive Test series wins. However, for the upcoming series, McGrath asserted that the Indians should stick to their strengths in the UK and ensure that their batsmen get going from the first Test itself.

“It is going to be interesting. I think India started really well in England, obviously it is in the ODIs and T20s. The batting line-up has always been their strength. Just heard about injuries to (Jasprit) Bumrah and Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar). So it will be interesting to see their bowling line-up, to see who comes in and takes the load.

“In recent times they have been bowling really well. Injuries do happen, it is going to make it a little tougher. But their strength is their batting,” he added.

India's incredible run in Tests was ended by South Africa who sealed the three match Test series in two games. But the Proteas were pushed to the absolute limit as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah put up incredible performances earlier this year. The loss of Bhuvaneshwar and Bumrah will only serve as a further setback to the Indian team ahead of the series. But experienced fast-bowler Ishant Sharma will be expected to the lead the attack in England reckoned McGrath.

“He (Ishant) has got a lot of experience. And, that sort of makes a big difference when you know how to get wickets. He is not probably bowling as quick as when he first started. Have to see if he has the same wicket-taking potential as what he had when he first started. Yadav has got a bit of pace. They need him for the whole series.

“... Obviously spinners are always pretty handy. But medium-pacers and quick bowlers in England, if you bowl well, with the Duke ball and in those conditions, it is going to be...” McGrath added.

Glenn McGrath reveals ability of Indians to play James Anderson will decide Test series

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