Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav feels the star trio of Joe Root, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes will have a tough time in the upcoming series against India, which will start on February 5 in Chennai.
Significantly, England had whitewashed Sri Lanka 2-0 in a recently concluded Test series.
While England skipper Root amassed 426 runs at an impressive average of over 100, Buttler scored 131 runs from three innings. All-rounder Ben Stokes was however, not part of the squad.
“England have definitely played pretty good cricket in Sri Lanka. The way they countered spin bowling in Sri Lanka, they are in pretty good rhythm and touch. It will be a little challenging for me to execute my plans because I am playing after such a long time,” Kuldeep was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
“But having seen these batsmen play in one-day cricket and having seen them play against Sri Lanka, I do have good plans. I hope I can execute them,” he added.
The last time when England in 2016, the Three Lions faced a humiliating 0-4 defeat in the five-Test series.
“Root has time to play his strokes. He also plays spin well off the back foot. Buttler dominates the bowlers really well. That is his strength. Stokes too is similar and keeps the bowler under pressure,” Kuldeep said.
“Having said that, it will not be so easy for them to perform in India considering they are playing in India (in Test cricket) after a long time. That also matters. If they perform, then credit will go to them,” he added.
Kuldeep, who has not played Test cricket for India since 2019, also said that if he features in the first game against England, he would be in a better mental space for the remaining games.
“When you play regular cricket, the confidence comes automatically. If I play the first match, I will be in a better position to play the next game. Mentally I have kept myself very relaxed. Accordingly, my confidence level will be peaking,” the 26-year-old expressed.