London, July 18:

Sourav Ganguly believes India’s fast bowlers hold the key to their three-Test series against England which gets underway at Lord’s here from Thursday.

Ganguly, a member of a powerful batting line-up that also includes captain Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, reckons the likes of left-arm quicks Zaheer Khan and Rudra Pratap Singh can help India dismiss England twice.

But the former captain has been particularly taken by the impact of fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, who since making his debut against England in Nagpur in March last year, has taken 37 wickets in eight Tests. “He’s got pace, swings and he bowls in the right areas. He runs in all the time and he will be the dark horse of the tour,” said Ganguly.

And with experienced leg-spinner Anil Kumble also set to play India’s bowlers are sure to provide England’s batsmen with a decent examination.

England go into this series without key fast bowlers Stephen Harmison (hernia injury) and Andrew Flintoff (ankle problem).

The home side are now set to decide between the uncapped duo of Stuart Broad and Chris Tremlett, and James Anderson for the final place in a four-man attack which is likely to be reliant again on spinner Monty Panesar both for control and wickets. Panesar could end up anchoring England’s attack if India get after pacemen.