Unlike India-Australia competitions, India vs. England rivalry has been devoid of personality clashes like Shane Warne vs. Sachin Tendulkar or Glenn McGrath vs. Tendulkar. There were only brief episodes in the early 2000s when Nasser Hussain and Sourav Ganguly clashed with their unique captaincy styles. It will be the last time one will see the aged warrior going up against a currently out-of-form Indian great. The attention of fans from both sides will be focused on how these two legends stack up against each other.
Anderson, who replaces Jamie Overton in the England squad for this Test, has rediscovered his love and passion for the game after admitting that he was about to leave after being ruled out of the match against the West Indies. I thought. Maybe he's lost pace and a little zip, but give him Duke Cherry and a nervous batsman with three slips and a gully waiting, and you'll suddenly see him transform into a magician, thanks to that skill. Thanks for what he has.
Anderson has been antithetical to him, and he knows this is probably the last time he will be up against his nemesis. He wants to leave his mark. In 2018, Kohli scored centuries at the same ground and would give anything for an encore. Perhaps a one-time test scenario where the memory chip of the previous series is formatted will suit that. While Anderson and Kohli would be expected to dominate the narrative, one should not forget. Amid the ruins, before the Joe Root Stokes-McCullum duo resurfaced, the Yorkshireman stood tall and didn't let his side's crumbling fortunes put his head in place as he crossed the dizzying batting peaks. The Fab Four comprising Root, Kane Williamson, Kohli, and Steve Smith, the Englishman, are currently head and shoulders above. He also scored three centuries in the four-Test matches of the series.
There was a sense of dismay and apprehension among Indian supporters after England beat New Zealand and how vital Indian players were either ill or injured. Jonny Bairstow will be up against the fast bowlers in Bumrah and Shami. Hitting him down the line with regularity in the series against New Zealand will not be easy. Ben Stokes will have to think twice before taking the field against Siraj. This Indian invasion will keep coming and attacking. They also have bowlers who can slow down the pace and play a game of attrition. Important Test Championship points at stake. Another interesting contest is expected.
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