India vs England: The vulnerable area for England are the openers, India could exploit that, says Roland Butcher | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former England batsman Roland Butcher feels India skipper Virat Kohli will have to play a dual role, as per the situation, in the five-match Test series against England, starting today at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
Butcher, who played three Tests and three ODIs for England between 1980 and 1981, says Kohli needs to bat aggressively like Rohit Sharma or hold the fort patiently like Pujara if the situation demands.
Butcher, the first black player to play Test cricket for England, feels India will be a tough nut to crack, but England are favourites to win the series 3-2.
TimesofIndia.com caught up with Butcher to talk about the India vs England Test series, the key clashes, the rise of Rishabh Pant and more.

Excerpts…
What is your prediction for the 5 Test series?
Certainly, I’m looking forward to this Test series between England and India. It’s going to be a very interesting series. It’s going to be close. I would be really thinking it would go 3-2 in England’s favour. England perhaps have a slight edge simply because of playing at home. But I can see India winning matches as well.

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If you have to pick two key player clashes in the series. Which would those be and why?
Well, there are some key matchups. Virat Kohli and Joe Root. These two wickets are going to be very important for both teams. England will be trying to get Virat out as cheaply as possible and vice versa – India will be trying to get Joe Root out. Because both of those players have the ability to score big. The series will be dominated by the fast bowlers. India have Shami and Bumrah who are really good. But Ashwin can play a vital role for India. He is a top-class spinner and a handy batsman. He will be playing a key role for India. The one major problem at the moment with England is the opening department. India could exploit the openers. That’s the vulnerable area for England.
England lost to India in India earlier this year. Now, England are going to host India. Will revenge be on Team England’s mind?
Obviously. They would love that to happen, but also, they should be realistic enough to realise that that India will come and play hard cricket. England will be looking for some sort of revenge. They were beaten by India in India. So, they will be hoping to put things right.
Mohammed Siraj played a big role in the Test series win for India in Australia. Can he repeat the same kind of performance in England too you think?
Yes, he can. Because it’s a five-Test series. You need good fast bowlers in England and he’s got his role to play. I wouldn’t be too perturbed by the fact that India didn’t play him against New Zealand (in the WTC final) because it was a one-off Test match. Siraj obviously did well in Australia. But unknown conditions in England, because he really hasn’t had the chance to play any Test matches here. So, it will be a chance India is taking to play Siraj in the Test series. That’s why India picked Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, etc. in front of Siraj. They are aware of the conditions. But Siraj will definitely have a role to play in the Test series.

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Who are the players who can turn the game in India’s favour in England you think?
In batting, it will be Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Cheteshwar Pujara. You have to bat for a long time in England. Pujara will have to bat for long and people like Pant have the opportunity to come in and be aggressive. Rohit, Virat, and Pujara will certainly be the three key batsmen. Rohit to get a really good start and Pujara to hold the innings together. Virat will do both the jobs. If the team is struggling, hang in there or if things are not going well, then push on. Virat needs to play a dual role in England. Virat will have to play the roles of Rohit and Pujara, as the situation demands in England. In terms of the bowling department, I would pick Bumrah. He is an attacking bowler. Ashwin will be the key for India. For England, Root, and Buttler in the batting department. And in bowling, Anderson and Mark Wood will do the job for England.
Rishabh Pant played a big role in Australia. He is maturing and slowly trying to fill MS Dhoni’s shoes. Your take on that…
He is mature and he’s doing well. I think he still has somewhere to go before you can see MS Dhoni in him. He can change the game, but MS Dhoni could retrieve a situation that will not go in your favour. I don’t think Pant has got there yet. He is a very exciting player and played some brilliant innings. But he is not the sort of player that you would rely on game after game to get you out of trouble. He’s showing signs that he could become that sort of player, but obviously, he’s going in the right direction.