Chennai: Virat Kohli and his men will have to ‘get on top’ of the swing and seam of the seasoned James Anderson, nicknamed Jimmy, to brighten India’s chances in the upcoming Test series against England, feels Australian pace legend Glenn McGrath.
“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 here, Friday.
The Australian, who is director of coaching at MRF Pace Foundation, said though the Indian bowlers have been doing well in recent times, batting remains their strength.
With Bhuvi and Bumrah out, it creates a bit of a hole in Indian bowling attack. They will depend a lot on Ishant’s experience and Umesh’s pace
Glenn McGrath
“It is going to be interesting. The batting line-up has always been their strength. It will be interesting to see their bowling line-up (without Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar), to see who comes in and takes the load. But their strength is their batting,” he added.
He said though the spinners have done well for India and would have a role to play in England, the fast bowlers would be crucial. “Shane Warne loved bowling there. He always said if it seamed, it will turn. In English conditions it does seam a bit and Warne has had success there. India is going to need their bowlers, their spinners firing if they have to win the series,” he asserted.