Former off-spinner of England, Graeme Swann predicts a strong comeback from Virat Kohli-led Team India during the five-match Test series. The all-important series is all set to begin from August 1 in Birmingham.
There are higher chances that the red-ball will be offering too much to pace bowlers in the impending series. As it is warmer than usual in England, there will be lack of swing according to the cricketer-turned-commentator Swann.
Overall, India and England share the results with 3-3. India defeated England in Twenty20 series by 2-1 and faced vice-versa in ODI format by same figures.
The English veteran Swann further feels that things might change for visitors in the longest format of the game.
“If the ball doesn’t swing, England will have to rely on reverse swing later on. Jimmy (James Anderson) is not the same bowler with the older ball because by the time it starts reverse swinging, Kohli will be 60-70 not out,” Swann told PTI.
Impact of James Anderson:
Swann said that England managed to do well in the last series due to pace spearhead James Anderson. He feels that only through swing, England can have upper hand on India.
“England did well last time because Jimmy had the new ball swinging. It’s just not Indians who don’t do well against swing. Every batsman in the world doesn’t like it when the ball swings around especially when Anderson is bowling,” he said
Graeme Swann reiterated that he would have definitely picked Kuldeep Yadav if he could have the authority. He praised the chinaman by calling him a ‘mystery spinner’.
Kuldeep Yadav over Ashwin and Jadeja:
Swann further said that he could have picked him over Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
During limited-overs leg, Kuldeep Yadav took 14 wickets in five matches.
“If I was an Indian, I would desperately want him to play in the Tests because he does provide mystery and the English batsmen cannot pick his googly. He also bowls a good length and went for just 20-odd on a beautiful batting wicket at Nottingham. He doesn’t give the batsmen enough opportunity to see the ball off pitch, and can hit a perfect length and pace,” Swann said.
