London: Former England skipper Michael Atherton feels that India's quality spin attack can hurt the England side’s aim to conquer the test series in India after 12 years when they square off against Rohit Sharma-led side in five-Test home series, starting in Hyderabad on January 25.
As England have only Jack Leach as an established spinner in the squad with Rehan Ahmed, who has played only one Test with Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir, who have received their maiden-call up. India, on other hand, boasts world no.1 and 2 all-rounders - Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin respectively. They will have assistance from Axar Patel, who received the man of the series in England’s previous tour and chinaman Kuldeep Yadav.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Atherton said, "I think India will win. Their spinners are better than England's and that will be the defining thing in the end."
When England last won a series in India back in 2012, former skipper Alastair Cook had the two world class spinners in this squad such as Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar, who out bowled the formidable Indian side. On the 2012 tour, Swann picked 20 wickets in seven innings at an average of 24.75 comprising a five wicket haul while Panesar bagged 17 wickets in mere five innings at an average of 26.82 including two five-fors.
“England last won a series in India back in 2012 when Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar out bowled their Indian counterparts. If you go to India, spin will play a big part, it historically has done and I suspect it always will do. India do have a very strong seam attack as well," said Atherton.
"India's four spinners are very different to England's. They have two left-arm finger spinners in Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. They have a wrist spinner in Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the greatest spinners of all time,” former skipper mentioned.
"England have a solid left-arm spinner in Jack Leach and then three very inexperienced spinners after that with Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed. "It will be a particular challenge for them but the selectors see a high ceiling for them," the 55-year-old cited.
The tracks are expected to turn from day one in India, providing a massive test also for the England batters.
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