'Axar, Jadeja Or..'- Jonny Bairstow Tries To Guess India's Spin Attack For England Tests
Jonny Bairstow will play a key role alongside Ben Stokes [X.com]
One of the most anticipated Test series will kick off on January 25, when touring England will clash against India in a five-match series.
The Anthony de Mello Trophy will once again be up for grabs; however, England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow is aware that pitches on offer will have turn, even though the Indian attack is well equipped for any conditions.
In their last tour to India in 2021, the Three Lions were spun out by Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel, who shared 59 wickets between them.
Ahead of the tour, the 34-year-old guessed India's spin attack, likely to be led by R Ashwin, with the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja also in contention for a place.
Bairstow puzzled on India's potential spin attack
"India can produce different pitches; it doesn't have to turn. Look, I'm sure the pitches will turn; it's whether or not they'll turn from day one, which potentially negates a bit of their strength in their seam attack. We know how strong they are," Bairstow told Sky Sports.
"The last time Axar and Ashwin played well. Rooty (Joe Root) got a double in the first Test match in Chennai and then conditions changed quite drastically. We know that it's the quality spinners, especially in India, we know that they are going to come at us. Whether Axar plays, whether Jadeja plays or Kuldeep plays, who knows? We'll have to wait and see. But there's no point in overthinking," he added.
Bairstow, who scored just 28 runs on the previous India tour, further stated that no decision about England's probable wicketkeeper had been made, with the ECB naming both him and Ben Foakes in the squad.
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