England's Bazball Approach Would Face Toughest Challenge Against Quality Spinners In India - Nasser Hussain

Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes that the upcoming Test series against India will be the biggest challenge for the Ben Stokes-led team. Nasser Hussain highlighted that India is the toughest place to play in the longer format of the game for touring nations.

The England national cricket team will tour the subcontinent nation for a five-match Test series early next year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently released the schedule, with the first match scheduled to be played in Hyderabad starting on January 25.

The Next Challenge Is India – Nasser Hussain

Nasser Hussain highlighted that it will be interesting to see how England’s batters will approach the quality Indian spin attack on turning tracks.

“It’s the next test for Bazball. They said Bazball will work against one side, then they moved on to the next side. Then they moved on to New Zealand, Australia, Pakistan,” Hussain said on The ICC Review.

“The next challenge is India and everyone knows India in India is one of the sternest challenges in Test match cricket. It’s Bazball against spin. Bazball against Ravi Ashwin, (Ravindra) Jadeja and Axar Patel and that is going to be fascinating,” he added.

Alastair Cook was the last England captain to register a series victory in England in 2011. The visitors defeated the Indian team by a 2-1 margin in the four-match series. However, they suffered 4-0 and 3-1 losses in 2016 and 2021, respectively.

You Are A Fool If You’re Writing Off Jimmy Anderson – Nasser Hussain

Hussain suggested that the team management should stick with veteran pacer James Anderson in the absence of Stuart Broad, considering his impressive record with the red ball in India.

“Jimmy’s (Anderson) got a very good record against India… and you need a balanced attack. You need that experience for younger players to come in .Listen, Jimmy’s had a bad or an average couple of months, but you are a fool if you’re writing off Jimmy Anderson.

I spoke to him in an interview and he was like, the hunger is still there. He’s already thinking about how to get back to his best. He’s already thinking about going back in the nets and working hard at his game and that’s a good sign for me that he’s still got that hunger. He’s, what, 10 wickets away from 700 (Test wickets), and that will keep him going for a while yet,” he added.

James Anderson has an impressive Test record against Team India, with 139 wickets at an average of 24.89 and six 5-wicket hauls. He has performed well in India too, taking 34 wickets in 13 matches at an average of less than 30.