The onus is on Kohli: Glenn McGrath

Chennai: Former Australia bowling great Glenn McGrath says it's time Virat Kohli showed the cricket world that he could also score runs in English conditions. Kohli's previous tour to England in 2014 was a nightmare as he made just 134 runs in 10 innings. He is yet to score a Test half-century in Old Blighty.

“Except England, Virat has done well everywhere and he will be keen to change that. Kohli is a class act and has got all the shots. He is quite expressive and not a timid player. It's going to be tough with the ball moving around. If he can adapt to those conditions, he will definitely be on top of the world,” added McGrath, who is here to supervise a camp at MRF Pace Foundation.

McGrath expects Anderson to pose a serious threat to India. “Getting on top of Anderson will make a big difference for the Indians. For them he is definitely going to be the key,” he said.

“It is going to be interesting. I think India started really well in England, obviously it is in the ODIs and T20s. The batting line-up has always been their strength. Injuries to Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are not good news for India. So it will be interesting to see who comes in and takes the load,” he added.

McGrath, however, is not ruling out the possibilities of the pitches offering turn. “Shane Warne loved bowling there. He always said if it seamed, it would turn as well. India need their pacers as well as spinners to do well if they have to win the series. Having two spinners in the line-up, if that is going to be the best bowling attack it is fine. With Bhuvi and Bumrah out, it creates a bit of a hole. The first Test is going to be pretty important,” he said.

“Ishant Sharma has got a lot of experience. And, that sort of makes a big difference when you know how to get wickets. He is not probably bowling as quick as when he first started. Have to see if he has the same wicket-taking potential when he started off. Yadav has got a bit of pace. They need him for the whole series,” he added.