Ben Duckett reflected on England’s 2021 tour of India, noting the team’s early success in Chennai but highlighting the subsequent difficulty against the spin combo of Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin, who combined to claim 60 wickets, helping India win 3-1.
The epic match between India’s potent spin attack and England’s hitters is frequently the focus of attention in the impending match between the two nations. Ben Duckett, the England opener, says the visitors will also have to contend with the hosts’ unrelenting speed attack.
Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav add to India’s growing arsenal of spinners as the forthcoming series draws near. India has a strong fast-bowling squad with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, and Avesh Khan, even with Mohammed Shami out due to injury.
“People speak about how good India’s spin bowling is, but no matter how flat the surfaces are, it will be difficult at the top of the order to counter the seam assault. Obviously, I just played against what I consider to be the world’s top seam attack this summer,” Duckett remarked in an interview with the Sky Sports Cricket podcast.
“I believe that facing the new ball spin will be the main emphasis of the Abu Dhabi preparation. I don’t think I’ll get out blocking as frequently as I did the last time I was there, so it should be interesting,” he continued.
Whatever India throws at me, I won’t be caught off guard: Ben Duckett
After making his Test debut in 2016, Duckett has established himself as a mainstay in the England lineup since 2022. This time, he expects a different kind of battle. Adopting an ultra-attacking approach, he emphasized in Abu Dhabi the value of getting ready and concentrating on dealing with the new ball spin. Thinking back on his earlier trips to India, Duckett said,
Anything that India throws at me won’t come as a surprise. On such types of pitches, I have played. I’m fully aware of what to anticipate when I venture outside.”
Duckett said, “I wasn’t the last left-hander to struggle out there in those conditions against Ashwin,” even if he acknowledged Ashwin’s exceptional bowling. He is excellent everywhere. Because he is a bowling pro, I have no doubt that he will get me out again. Nonetheless, I would now back myself on a good pitch or a flatter pitch so that I wouldn’t feel pressured to play aggressively or scoop every ball. If those pitches are spinning, and with the way this team have played over the last 18 months, I know what my strengths are and I’m certainly not going to die wondering,” he concluded.
Duckett’s perspective provides an interesting layer to the narrative as anticipation for the Test series grows, highlighting the variety of hurdles that England’s hitters will be facing.
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