But that supposed weak link has proved to be India's greatest asset thus far.
There were hints aplenty about the potency of this Indian attack right from Belfast, when they put the South African batsmen in all sorts of difficulties en route to a stirring one-day series win.
Still, there were lingering doubts over their ability to make an impact in the longer version. Fitness concerns over Zaheer Khan -- the Mumbaikar had picked up a groin injury during the Afro-Asia Cup in Chennai -- only added to the misgivings, while bowlers like Rudrap Pratap Singh and S Sreesanth had little experience of bowling in English conditions.
Sterling displays
Zaheer and Singh have proved predictions wrong with sterling displays, former patricularly impressive. Zaheer’s temperament has always been a topic of debate, but he put all the doubts to shade with a manful performance as the leader of a young pack. Amongst the youngsters, none has caught the eye more than RP Singh, who has given Zaheer splendid support in both the Tests.
Singh does not have a bagful of wickets to show like Zaheer has, but he has procured important wickets at the correct time. His dismissal of Kevin Pietersen in the second innings of the Trent Bridge Test was as important as any other in the match. In fact, Singh has dismissed the brazen English batsmen thrice in four innings this series.
Singh's ability to swing the ball back into right-handers at pace has bewildered Pietersen and many other host batsmen. Bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad was understandably elated with his wards’ performance.
All about direction
"RP is a fantastic bowler. He is coming up really well, along with Zaheer. They do make a terrific bowling combination, with Anil (Kumble) to support them. I have been spending time with them and making them understand what is important for them. They needed someone to show them direction. That is all I've been doing with them, trying to get deep into their mindset. Trying to understand what they are thinking and implement that in the nets as well," the former Indian pace bowler said.
Indian skipper Rahul Dravid too was pleased with his bowlers' performance. "Under these circumstances, our bowlers have done a fantastic job. RP is a young ‘bowler with a lot of talent. He might not get the credit he deserves sometimes, but his critical wickets in both innings made a big impact," he said. The Uttar Pradesh lad has so far taken 10 wickets from two Tests at an enviable 22.50, and is behind only Zaheer and England's Chris Tremlett in the wicket-taking stakes.
The amount of swing the Indian pacers have managed to extract has played a major part in leaving the England batsmen a perplexed lot. “It is not surprising,” Prasad explained. “The Duke ball does swing in these conditions. What they are doing is pitching the ball up. When you bowl up to the batsmen it does swing here, and our bowlers have followed that policy diligently."
Prasad added that the Indian bowlers had done their preparations well before the series. “They have been disciplined. That is what is essential for success. We have to make sure they understand their strengths; we watched videos of the England batsmen to observe their weaknesses. I told them to make sure they keep things simple and believe in themselves. We have also discussed a few tactical aspects in terms of field placements.
"These guys are hard-working and talented. They deserve all the credit. We are also spending a lot time with them besides working at the nets, talking to them individually,” Prasad added. If the errant Sreesanth too can get his act together in the final Test, the Indians will cause a lot more problems to the English batsmen.