Veteran Indian off-spinner R Ashwin feels that if other batsmen score runs around Virat Kohli then Team India stand a chance to win the series against England.
After the final of the ICC World Test Championship against New Zealand, Team India will cross swords against hosts England in the five-match Test series. The first Test match kick starts on August 4 at Trent Bridge followed by the second Test at Lord's on August 12.
The third Test is scheduled to be held at Headingley from August 25 while the fourth Test starts on September 2 at the Oval. The fifth and final Test will be played at Old Trafford from September 10.
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Even though Team India suffered a 1-4 thumping in the five-match Test series against England in 2018, skipper Virat Kohli was the biggest positive for the team in English conditions as he scored 593 runs, including two centuries, in the Test series.
Going to the UK, Virat Kohli-led side would be high on confidence as they have defeated Australia in their backyard, twice on the trot, and recently crushed England in all three formats in the home series.
Talking about the same, veteran Indian off-spinner R Ashwin admitted that James Anderson would be a threat for Indian batsmen but he remarked that if other players make runs around Virat Kohli, India stand a chance to win.
"England plays good cricket on their pitches and they have shown how good they are in their conditions. James Anderson will make it as difficult as it can be for us.
“The conditions are key in England, but the experience that this Indian team has should hold us in good stead. If other players chip in and make runs with Virat Kohli around, we stand a good chance to win," R Ashwin told the New Indian Express.
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R Ashwin further pointed out that he’s bowled equally well to both left and right-handed batsmen and feels "thoroughly prepared" to bowl to any player in the England batting lineup.
"Out of the 400-odd wickets, I have performed equally well against right-handers and taken almost an equal number of wickets. The idea of bowling to good players is to enjoy the challenge. I believe in being thoroughly prepared for anybody from No. 1 to No. 11," he said.
Team India would be hoping that their skipper Virat Kohli to replicate his form from the last England tour if they have to fancy their chances of winning the five-Test series.
(The New Indian express inputs)
