India vs England 2016: 5 reasons why India will get over the English hurdle

#4 James Anderson missing

How big a miss will James Anderson be?

About the only department where England probably had an upper hand over India is the new-ball bowling. The Anderson-Broad pair is one of the deadliest ones over the last decade. While India have Mohammed Shami who is one of the best exponents of the reverse swing, he never had ideal support from the other end, with Umesh Yadav being inconsistent and Ishant Sharma recovering from injury. With Anderson ruled out the opening Tests because of a shoulder injury, England will be looking at Finn to fill the place.

Finn was wicket-less in the one Test he played against Bangladesh. While his height would get him some bounce, his temperament on placid wickets and fast outfields will be under the scanner. Stokes might have to share the burden of seam-up bowling which may mean his batting impact might be affected. Woakes, given his proficiency with bat might get a go, ahead of Finn.

He is brisk and moves the ball and will offer a good challenge. But once again, he is not Anderson, who was effective in the sub-continent with his ability to swing the new ball and the old.