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When England embarked on their journey to India, I believed that Jack Leach would be their key bowler. However, after two games – and only playing in the first Test – he has been declared unfit for the rest of the series. Surprisingly, this may not have a significant effect due to the impressive performances of England’s young spinners, Jasprit Bumrah’s skilled reverse swing, and the realization that seam bowling may hold more importance than initially thought.

Leach’s experience made me believe that he was the only England spinner who could maintain control over his bowling during intense competition, when the stakes are high. Therefore, he appeared to be crucial to their success in achieving 20 wickets.

When playing at home, the English team relies on their fast-medium bowlers for control, but when playing in India, they struggle due to a lack of accurate bowlers for spin. However, in the first two Tests, Ben Stokes has displayed exceptional skill in guiding his young spinners, managing the bowling attack, and positioning his fielders. The absence of Leach now has a significant impact.

In order to excel in Test cricket, one must have confidence in their abilities and believe they belong on the field. Doubts have no place in this sport. While some inexperienced players may approach the game with a carefree attitude, others may become overwhelmed by overthinking and pressure.

Mentality is an important characteristic that England look for when assessing players – it’s not just about their playing attributes. England’s management of their young players has been outstanding over the past couple of years and Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed have come into the team, played well and their belief will be strong.

I was pleasantly surprised by the impact of reverse swing in the series. It brings back memories of the impressive performance of Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram during the 1992 summer in England. As a middle-order batsman, it can be challenging to face the ball after it has lost its shine, making it tough for the seamers. However, in that series, after 40 overs, we knew the ball would suddenly start to reverse-swing at a rapid pace, causing trouble for us.

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Mastering the correct angles against an inswing delivery can be challenging. I recall collaborating with Joe Root on strategies for facing Bumrah, and a crucial aspect was being aware of the position of the off stump. The wide angle of the delivery can tempt a player to play at balls that should be left alone, but keeping this in mind can also help in leaving the right ones. For someone like Zak Crawley, who typically bats on the off stump, the inswinger may seem like a scoring opportunity, but the difficulty lies in using the bat to play it towards the on-side while also being precise in execution.

Speed is crucial in this situation: Ollie Robinson, for example, may also possess the ability to make the ball curve, but he allows batters a bit more time to adapt. However, the presence of Bumrah, Jimmy Anderson’s performance in the second Test, and the success of the young spinners give England reason for optimism.

They will surely be fully rested, as they have been in Abu Dhabi since the conclusion of the second Test. In the past, they would have stayed in India and fit in a few first-class matches, but it makes more sense to avoid a similar situation to their 1992-93 tour of India, where they played 16 games and Phil Tufnell stated, “I have experienced the elephants and poverty, it is time to return home.”

I am curious if England’s young spinners could have developed their skills further by playing matches in India instead of taking it easy in the United Arab Emirates. This would have also eliminated the visa issue that could be causing a distraction for Rehan.

Meanwhile, more seasoned athletes like Stokes, Root, and Jonny Bairstow likely welcomed the respite, possessing ample experience to understand their roles and how to properly prepare.

I frequently found the initial tour matches to be enjoyable and beneficial for gaining knowledge about unfamiliar environments. However, there is no one definitive solution: Bairstow, a 34-year-old batsman with 97 Tests and 212 first-class matches under his belt, will likely have a different approach to preparation compared to Bashir, a 20-year-old spinner with only one Test and seven first-class matches. For better or for worse, England has chosen to relax at Abu Dhabi’s beaches, golf courses, and high-end hotels.

After a tied series and a lengthy break, it is uncertain which team has the upper hand. England’s approach appears to be that of underdogs, determined to put up a fight. As long as they stay true to themselves, they are prepared for whatever outcome may arise, relieving the pressure. On the other hand, India has a lot to lose with their impressive record at home and devoted fans.

Virat Kohli, a top player of his generation, has been ruled out of the entire series, which is a major setback for the team. Despite showing their ability to win without him in the second Test, his absence is still deeply felt. Kohli not only possesses great skill but also motivates his team and refuses to settle for anything less than the best. He excels at engaging with the audience, riling them up and boosting their energy. He is also not afraid to engage in verbal exchanges with opposing players in order to disrupt their focus if they are performing well.

He is a prominent figure in the current sport, entertaining to watch, and any team would be at a disadvantage without him.

Source: theguardian.com