"Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are vulnerable, England will bowl out India.."- Michael Vaughan

Former England captain Michael Vaughan warned India against preparing to turn pitches for the upcoming five-match Test series against England. Michael Vaughan stated that such pitches would play into the hands of England’s spin bowlers, especially Jack Leach.

The England selectors have chosen a spin-heavy side for the highly anticipated series in India, including four specialist spinners. Jack Leach will lead the bowling attack, supported by three inexperienced bowlers, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, and Shoaib Bashir.

Leach was part of England’s previous Test tour of India in 2021, where the visiting team suffered a 1-3 loss. The left-arm spinner took 18 wickets in four Tests at an average of 28.72. Rehan Ahmed is the second-most senior spinner in the squad, having played one Test.

Jack Leach Will Be Right In The Game – Michael Vaughan

In his column for The Telegraph, Michael Vaughan stated that pitches excessively favoring spin could benefit England’s spinners. Vaughan admitted that, while Leach may not be superior to Ravindra Jadeja, he could help England on a turning pitch.

“I think it would be a big mistake if the pitches spin hugely from ball one of the series. 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,” Vaughan wrote in his column for the Telegraph.

Indian batters faced difficulties on rank-turners during the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The home team suffered a loss in the third Test match in Indore. India opted for a flat track in Ahmedabad for the fourth and final match, which ended in a draw.

India’s Batting Cane Be Vulnerable – Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan mentioned that India’s batting might be vulnerable when facing significant spin, and England could capitalize by bowling them out. He also warned that India should not prepare for flat pitches, considering England’s ‘Bazball’ approach.

“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,” he added.

“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.”

The first Test of the five-match series between India and England is scheduled to be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, starting on January 25.

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