Ind vs Eng 2021: 3 player battles to watch out for

Cricket

Stuart Broad has had the better of India's vice-captain six times in their encounters. He's had him caught behind, miscuing and edging deliveries and will look to use his deceptive pace to bamboozle Rahane.

Ajinkya Rahane vs Stuart Broad

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For the Mumbai batsman, this Test is also a chance to resurrect his flailing career in the longer format of the game. A couple of good knocks is just what he needs to push his case for an extended run in a side that has competition knocking on the door constantly.

Joe Root has fallen prey to Ravindra Jadeja's guile quite a few times, five to be precise. The Saurashtra tweaker's nagging line and the ball that drifts onto the pads or sometimes zips in has had Root castled.

Joe Root vs Ravindra Jadeja

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This has seen the Indian all-rounder gain some success against the England skipper and Team India will look to the left-arm spinner to stop the Root juggernaut.

Virat Kohli and James Anderson have highlighted epic rivalries in the series in the past. After the 2014 disaster for the Indian skipper, he has had the better of Anderson in the series in 2016 and 2018.

Virat Kohli vs  James Anderson

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This time, the conditions favour the veteran bowler and he will be keen to have Kohli packing pretty early in the innings. Anderson has dismissed Kohli five times in their encounters so far.