India great Sachin Tendulkar names four England players who can cause Virat Kohli trouble
India v England: Root previews series before first Test
India great Sachin Tendulkar is fully expecting Virat Kohli’s side to come out on top in the Test series against England. However, Tendulkar admits England have weapons that could cause problems to the hosts.
India have not lost a bilateral Test series on home soil since England’s 2-1 win in 2012.
They head into the series off the back of a stunning comeback win over Australia at the turn of the year.
England are also on a run of five overseas Tests wins in a row following the triumphant series in Sri Lanka last month.
But Tendulkar believes a near fully-fit India squad will prove too much for the tourists.
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“Given the squad that we have, a number of players have come back and they are fit,” Tendulkar told Reuters.
“One is obviously expecting India to beat England because we have a very strong and balanced team.
“But England also did well in Sri Lanka, so it will be a good series but India should be able to come out victorious.”
However, Tendulkar has pointed to the England bowling attack as an area where they can trouble India.
England’s two leading wicket takers in Test cricket, James Anderson and Stuart Broad, are both in the squad.
As are Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes, who return after being rested in Sri Lanka.
It is unlikely that all four will be named in the same XI in the series but Tendulkar believes the quartet are England’s biggest threat.
“England has a good bowling attack. Experienced bowlers and also backed by exuberance of youth,” the 47-year-old added.
“But our batsmen are competent and totally capable of putting big totals on the scoreboard which will allow the bowlers to put pressure on England batters. Right now the team is bubbling with confidence.
“If you look at someone like Anderson, he’s had success here. Broad has bowled well.
“Archer is someone who’s going to come and bowl short spells at a good pace and then the ball starts reversing … that is something that Archer can be handy at. Ben Stokes is another one.”
Tendulkar believes the Chennai pitch will be conducive for England’s seamers.
“I disagree a little bit about Indian pitches not being conducive to fast bowlers,” he continued.
“Because on Indian pitches even when the ball gets old reverse swing plays a big role. From my experience I would say critical overs are from 15th to 60th, that’s when reverse swing plays a big role.”
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