'Momentum will keep swinging' - Inzamam-ul Haq on Virat Kohli vs James Anderson rivalry

The first round of battle in a new five-match Test series between England and India was won by James Anderson when he dismissed Virat Kohli for a golden duck. It was simply an unplayable delivery from the veteran seam bowler, who kept the ball in the corridor of uncertainty and induced an edge from Kohli’s blade. It was also the first time Anderson got the better of the Indian skipper in England since the 2014 dismissal.

This riveting rivalry between the two modern-day legends of the game has always fascinated the onlookers, experts, and fans. While this time Kohli could not do much, fans expect him to come back stronger in the second innings. Meanwhile, Anderson seems to age like a fine wine and is getting better and better with every Test match that is playing.

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq believes the battle between Anderson and Kohli will continue throughout the five Tests and, the momentum too will keep swinging to and fro.

“Anderson vs Kohli has been quite a contest over the years. It was there in the beginning, then we did not get to see it for a while but, whenever these two have come across, Anderson has been able to dismiss him 8 to 9 times,” Inzamam said in a video on Youtube.

The legendary cricketer though lauded Kohli’s efforts with the bat during the 2018 tour and felt a clear winner cannot be predicted among the current world’s two best players. “But Virat played him well last time at Trent Bridge, so now we will get to see this riveting battle throughout the series. Both are big players, world-class players, so momentum will keep swinging,” he added.

KL Rahul will be key for India on day three

Day three is generally called the moving day of Test cricket and KL Rahul will be the key player for India getting a big first-innings lead. He is unbeaten on 57 and is a set batter. The right-hand batter displayed patience and grit throughout on rain-marred day two on a tricky Trent Bridge surface.

He will again though have to negotiate the crucial first hour on day three and start from scratch.
Rahul has wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant for the company who is unbeaten on seven runs.