Former Indian legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar believes James Anderson and Stuart Broad might not be effective on dry English pitches. Anderson and Broad have all the experience under their belt and it will be interesting to note their performances.
Gavaskar is expecting drier conditions in August and September as the sun will be out. Thus, the fast bowlers will not be able to make the most of overcast conditions. Little Master believes if Broad and Anderson don’t pick wickets with the new ball in their opening spells, they will struggle in their next spells.
“Indian batsmen need not worry about the series against England in August-September as the sun will be out by then and the pitches will be drier and with the greatest of respect, if Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad don’t get wickets in their first spell, they struggle in their next spells,” wrote Gavaskar for Telegraph.
“The English summer has begun with disappointment [for India] but when disappointment fuels determination then fortunes can be turned and that’s the attitude this talented team need to make this a truly Indian summer,” said Gavaskar.
The Indian team will be hungry to turn the tables in the five-match Test series against England after losing the World Test Championship final by eight wickets. Furthermore, India had lost the previous five-match Test series against England in English conditions by 4-1.
In fact, it was a close contest between India and England, which the scoreline doesn’t suggest. Ergo, India will look to come up with a collective effort.
Meanwhile, India has done a fine job while playing in overseas conditions in the recent past under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. India defeated Australia by 2-1 in the 2018-19 series and then went on to replicate the same success in 2020-21 under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane.
Furthermore, India has more than a month to prepare for the five-match series and they will be able to get used to the English conditions. Moreover, the visitors will play two warm-up matches before the series against the hosts.
