IND vs ENG | What Is James Anderson's Test Record In India?

image-ls2zra0qJames Anderson [X.com]

James Anderson was a shocking absentee from England's playing XI for the first Test against India in Hyderabad. Renowned for his great ability to swing the new ball prodigiously and extract incisive reverse swing with the old ball, the remarkable fast-bowler was expected to impose himself on Indian batters first up in the marquee five-match series. 

Even as the tourists rallied on the shoulders of Ollie Pope and Tom Hartley to pull off a historic triumph, they would've known they missed the control and consistency of Anderson in the pace department. Thankfully, the ageing stalwart returns for the second Test in Visakhapatnam, starting Friday (February 2). 

One of the most skillful pacers in Test match history, Anderson boasts of a highly impressive track record in Indian conditions. He averages a respectable 29.32 for his 34 scalps in 13 Tests from his previous five trips to the country. Anderson has not only taken wickets in India but also provided a tight leash on run-scoring, carrying an ER of 2.65 into his sixth tour. 

James Anderson's Test Record In India 

Anderson began in India in extremely promising fashion when his figures of 4/40 and 2/39 in England's tremendous win in Mumbai helped the Three Lions level the three-match series in 2006 versus Rahul Dravid's men. 

The great bowler couldn't quite leave his mark during the 2008 tour of India but then emerged as the 'difference between the two sides' as per Indian skipper MS Dhoni when England pulled off a memorable 2-1 series win here in November 2012. Anderson took 12 wickets at 30.25 apiece in a series dominated by spin. 

As it happened in 2008, Anderson's 2016 series in India went through struggling for zeal and wicket-taking prowess in these conditions. The pacer also faced injury troubles and could only be fit for three of the five Tests. 

However, he made amends on the following tour in early 2021 when he took his 8 wickets in just four innings, including a match-winning second-innings burst of 3/17 on Day 5 of the first Test in Chennai.