JOIN USVirat Kohli and his men will have to "get on top" of the swing and seam of the seasoned James Anderson to brighten India's chances in the upcoming Test series against England, feels Australian pace legend Glenn McGrath.
"Anderson is going to be a big player. It is how the Indian batsmen face his swing in English conditions. If they can get on top of Anderson, that is going to make a big difference for them. I think for them he is definitely going to be the key," McGrath told reporters here.
The Australian, who is director of coaching at the MRF Pace Foundation, said though the Indian bowlers have been doing well in recent times, batting remains their strength.
"It is going to be interesting. I think India started really well in England, obviously it is in the ODIs and T20Is. The batting line-up has always been their strength. Just heard about the injuries to (Jasprit) Bumrah and Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar). So it will be interesting to see their bowling line-up, to see who comes in and takes the load.
"In recent times they have been bowling really well. Injuries do happen, it is going to make it a little tougher. But their strength is their batting," he added.
He said though the spinners have done well for India and would have a role to play in England, the fast bowlers would be crucial.
"Spinners have done well for India. Shane Warne loved bowling there. He always said if it seamed, it will turn. In English conditions it does seam a bit and Warne has had success there. India is going to need their bowlers, their spinners firing, if they have to win the series."
McGrath said not having Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah weakens India's bowling attack.
"Having two spinners in the line-up, if that is going to be the best bowling attack it is fine. I am interested to see who are the bowlers that they have. Apart from (Umesh) Yadav, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami, it's about who your backup is.
"With Bhuvi and Bumrah out, it creates a bit of a hole. The first Test is going to be pretty important."
McGrath spoke about the difference Ishant Sharma's experience could make.
"He (Ishant) has got a lot of experience. He is not probably bowling as quick as when he first started. We have to see if he has the same wicket-taking potential as what he had when he first started. Yadav (Umesh) has got a bit of pace. They need him for the whole series."
When the discussion turned to Kohli, McGrath said it was time the India captain scored in England.
"For Virat, he has done everywhere else, but in England... He is a quality player without a doubt, a class act, has got all the shots. He is quite aggressive and not a timid player. It is time he shows that he can score runs in English conditions too."