England vs India Tests: 5 players to watch out for
The Test series is set to start from August 1, both England and India have plenty at stake. Kohli and his boys will be eyeing to set their record straight against the Three Lions. On the other hand, England will hope to play their best game and stop India from making inroads. Here are 5 players to watch out for.
Murali Vijay- India
This could be a defining series for Murali Vijay as he will hope to replicate the form he displayed in England in 2014. What bode well for Vijay, last time, was that he left the outside the off-stump ball and hung in there, before scoring runs. This aspect was missing in South Africa. However, he is still India's best bet to lay a foundation.
Joe Root- England
If England are to have a say, then Joe Root needs to score big hundreds. It has been missing since the 2017-18 Ashes. Although Root has amassed eight fifties in nine Tests, he hasn't been able to convert the starts. The successive ODI hundreds may propel the English skipper to shine and play a commanding role in the middle-order.
Virat Kohli- India
The Indian skipper was instrumental in the Tests against South Africa. He also kept his ODI form going this year and played well against the Proteas as well as against England. His consistency is key if India have to do well. Kohli is a much better player now than what he was in 2014. Therefore, we expect him to score aplenty this term.
James Anderson- England
The leading English bowler in Tests- James Anderson will, once again, be the most influential player. He has been in excellent form despite England not doing well in the 5-day format. Anderson had an excellent Ashes campaign and kept that form going in the following series as well. He can get key wickets upfront with the red cherry and will test the Indian openers.
Ishant Sharma - India
Since Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah are nursing injuries, a lot will rest on Ishant Sharma's shoulders. He goes into the Tests as India's leader in the pace attack. Ishant had a decent spell in the County Cricket this season and that will help him immensely. He has 12 wickets to his name in the last three Tests and could be a decisive factor.
