Michael Vaughan has issued a warning to the Indian team ahead of the series against England, saying that preparing rank turners from day one could bring Jack Leach and the young English spinners into the contest. ‘
The big question heading into the series will be the kind of tracks available for both teams. India has named a strong spin attack for the first two Tests with R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja supported by Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.
England, on the other hand, will have Leach as the senior spinner with Rehan Ahmed and a few youngsters in the mix.
With the expectation that spin-friendly tracks would be available, Vaughan feels it would be a mistake if rank turners are prepared for the series, saying that the spin attack of England could come into play.
“For India, I think it would be a big mistake if the pitches spin hugely from ball one of the series. England are going to look to score quickly and will, even if their innings do not last long.”
“But spinning pitches bring Jack Leach and the young spinners England have selected into the game. Is Leach a better spinner than Jadeja? No. But if you give him a turning pitch, and England bat first, he will be right in the game. Equally, when the ball spins big, I think India’s batting can be vulnerable, and England will bowl them out. If the pitches are flatter, India will score thousands, and also have the bowlers to work England out,” said Vaughan on Telegraph.
Vaughan also said that England under the Bazball mantra have attacked the teams on day one and India would be in for a rude awakening if they approach the English side like they did in the previous years.
India must also beware that almost every team that has come up against England’s new approach has been hit hard on day one. Look at New Zealand, Australia, and especially Pakistan. If India arrive thinking it will be the same as it usually is against England, they might be in for a big shock.
