England’s aggressive approach towards Test cricket, also known as ‘Bazball’, has captured the imagination of the cricketing world.
With this style, the Three Lions have produced impressive results under the regime of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum over the last two seasons.
The tour of India will pose the next biggest challenge to England. The Stokes-led side will travel to India for a five-match Test series, scheduled to be played from January 25 to March 11.
Ahead of the series, the pitch talks have started grabbing the headlines all over again. Notably, England suffered a 1-3 defeat in the Test series against India in 2021 on spin-friendly tracks during their previous tour of the country.
Meanwhile, English wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow has issued a warning for Team India, saying that preparing turning pitches might diminish some of their effectiveness in the seam attack.
"India can produce different pitches: it doesn't have to turn. We've seen how potent their seam attack has been recently," Bairstow told Sky Sports.
"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," he added.
Bairstow further said that he prefers not to dwell too much on the challenge of tackling spin bowling in India.
"Obviously, the last time Axar and Ashwin played well. You forget that in that first Test match, the guys played really 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 he doesn't play. Whether Jadeja plays or Kuldeep plays, who knows?
"We'll have to wait and see. But there's no point in overthinking things before their squad's announced before we see the pitch and the conditions that (are) in front of us."
Bairstow mentioned that the responsibility for picking wickets lies not only on the spinners but on the entire team.
"I think it will be the whole bowling attack's effort to go out there to take 20 wickets but it's not just the spinners. The seamers have got a big job to do, the batters in the field have massive jobs to do."
With Ben Foakes earning a recall to the England Test team, Bairstow is not sure who will be donning the keeping gloves in India.
"I've not spoken to anyone about that. As long as I'm over there, as long as I'm fit and firing, the selection decisions will be taken out of my hands. But look, I'm fairly happy with where I'm at, whether I'm keeping, batting or whatever it is."
"I've been getting my ankle right, just training in the gym pretty hard, catching up with friends and family."
"Having come back from the injury that I had, it was a pretty full-on summer... it's been great to just have a bit of a refresh, have a bit of time with the family and just to make sure the ankle is as good as it can be."
(With PTI Inputs)