ENG Vs IND, 2018: Graeme Swann Believes India Will Make Strong Comeback in Tests

Former England spinner, Graeme Swann has thrown his weight behind India to come back in the five-match Test series starting from August 1 at Edgbaston after falling out in the recently concluded three-match One-day International series.

Meanwhile, Birmingham will host the first Test and Swann feels India’s chances are high due to a warmer-than-usual English summer.

Three Lions led by Joe Root will be high on confidence but Swann felt the things might just change for the visitors in the longest format.

“If the ball doesn’t swing, England will have to rely on reverse swing later on. Jimmy (James Anderson) is not the same bowler with the older ball because by the time it starts reverse swinging, Kohli will be 60-70 not out,” Swann told PTI.

However, Swann revealed that England will be favourites if the ball starts swinging. He said that it is not just Indians but every batsman hates to face swing bowling.

“If it swings, England will win the Test series easily but if it doesn’t, and I don’t think it will, I think it will be a brilliant series. England don’t have a great spin attack in the Test series, so again India hold all the aces in that department too,” he added.

Graeme Swann backed Kuldeep Yadav to play:

The former off-spinner backed chinaman Kuldeep Yadav ahead of the experienced offie Ravichandran Ashwin and left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja for the first Test. But he also warned India for over-exposing the left-arm wrist spinner.

“If I was an Indian, I would desperately want him to play in the Tests because he does provide mystery and the English batsmen cannot pick his googly. He also bowls a good length and went for just 20-odd on a beautiful batting wicket at Nottingham. He doesn’t give the batsmen enough opportunity to see the ball off the pitch, and can hit a perfect length and pace,” Swann continues.

In conclusion, he noted that the battle between Virat Kohli and James Anderson will be key. The Indian skipper endured a woeful tour in the United Kingdom way back in 2014 and will look to make amends for it.

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