The cricket world is bracing itself for a spin-dominated Test series between India and England, which is widely predicted to begin in Hyderabad on January 25. The stage is set for an exciting match, and as everyone knows, the odds are in the spinners’ favor.
With Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, and Jack Leach all making the starting eleven in the first Test, England appears to be relying heavily on their spin weaponry heading into the series. It’s notable, though, that only Leach has previous bowling expertise in Indian conditions. Though he voiced his doubts, former England captain Nasser Hussain commented on the decision to deploy three spinners, pointing to inexperience as the main factor.
“You look at other nations who have historically attempted to use spin to attack India. Whether it was against the Fab Five or another Indian batting combination, Shane Warne didn’t have that many wickets or that much success in India, Hussain said to Sky Sports.
Although I would prefer a more evenly distributed bowling assault, Rehan Ahmed has hardly made his Test match debut as of yet. Leach isn’t going to bowl for a while; they merely think they need three because of the surface, which is likely to turn, he continued.
Hussain’s main worry is that the spin trio lacks experience, particularly Ahmed and Hartley who haven’t made a name for themselves in the Test arena.
Additionally, the four spinners choice is the result of inexperience. Leach, for example, hasn’t bowled since June or July. Along with Joe Root, you have Hartley and Rehan Ahmed, two young guys without experience. You could have chosen a more balanced side, he said, if it had been Swann or Panesar as an example.
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It’s interesting to note that Mark Wood is England’s only fast bowler, raising questions about the decision to leave James Anderson out of the starting XI. Hussain questioned this choice, pointing out that Anderson had experience on the subcontinent.
Hussain continued, “One seamer, you’re leaving out one of our greatest ever cricketers in Jimmy Anderson, arguably our greatest ever bowlers in my eyes who has a pretty good record in this subcontinent, if you lose the toss, say tomorrow, and it’s not doing that much, and you’re starting with spin.”
The result of this spin-dominated match, which the cricket world is keenly awaiting, will surely determine how the series is shaped.
India
