In the current five-match Test series, India and England are engaged in a fierce battle. In the first match, the visitors surprised the hosts by winning by 28 runs. They were not predicted to do well in India’s spin-friendly conditions. In Visakhapatnam, the Rohit Sharma-captained team defeated England by 106 runs to complete an incredible comeback. The Ben Stokes-led team has flown to Abu Dhabi ahead of the third game of the series in order to avoid the “heat of the battle,” according to head coach Brendon McCullum. As a result, both sides have been given a respite.
India is currently lacking a few key players from the Test series. Virat Kohli missed the first two Test matches of the series due to injury, and it is presently unclear if he will travel to Rajkot for the third match. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja missed the second Test due to injury, and Mohammed Shami is still healing from an ankle ailment he sustained at the 2023 ODI World Cup.
James Anderson, however, rejoined the England team in Visakhapatnam following a break from the opening test. Taking five wickets during the match, he was outstanding with the leather. It’s interesting to note that top batsman Virat Kohli, who has struggled against the English pacer, has a lengthy history with Anderson. Continuing the conversation, veteran cricketer Nasser Hussain stated that he anticipates seeing Kohli return to action soon to renew his battle with Anderson.
“I really hope he returns because the match between Kohli and Anderson has been the one thing lacking from this series. In a Q&A session with the Daily Mail, Hussain stated, “I’m excited about that.”
Interestingly, in seven Test matches, Jimmy Anderson defeated Kohli.
Although he had the advantage all along, the 35-year-old would welcome the chance to wrap up the tale however he sees fit now that the former India captain is singing. Virat’s availability for the final three tests, though, is still unknown.