Credit: Special Arrangement
Bengaluru: Come Friday, at Headingley in Leeds, India will play a Test without any of the trio of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli or R Ashwin for the first time since 2011. India are a team well and truly in transition.
Aware of the inexperience in the Test set-up, former India pacer RP Singh insisted that the side might not have the brightest of chances to win the marquee five-match Test series in England, but have an excellent opportunity to showcase their mettle.
“To be honest, the chances are not very bright, but there is a lot of fire in the team. This is an opportunity for the youngsters to put their hands up and perform," RP Singh told DH in an interaction organised by Sony Sports Network.
India's massive improvement of their away Test record has been largely been because of quality upgrade in their pace attack. The fast bowling arsenal consisting of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami had been causing issues in all conditions.
On this tour, though, Bumrah isn't expected to play more than three Tests while Shami has been left out due to fitness issues. In that eventuality, India will have to depend on a largely inexperienced pace unit, possibly comprising Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh/Akash Deep.
RP Singh believed that despite an inexperienced Indian attack, the similarities of the Dukes ball and SGs will help the younger bunch to adjust and go about their business.
"The Dukes ball is completely different to the Kookaburra. But if you compare it with the SG, it is slightly similar because of the size and shape. So for those who have played a lot of domestic cricket, it will be comparatively easier."
However, he said that adjusting to the length in English conditions would be the toughest challenge.
"The only problem the bowlers will feel in SENA countries, especially England is the length. The bowlers will have to adjust accordingly after getting used to bowling back of a length (deliveries) in India and that is why practice games are very important."
The 39-year-old also provided a gist of his experience bowling in England in the 2007 tour and credited his seniors for the good show.
"I was blessed to have the senior bowlers. Zaheer was there. Anil bhai was there. They understood the pitches better. So, if the seniors assist them, there's a very good chance the inexperienced bowlers can come good."
Another matter that has garnered serious attention and interest is Bumrah's workload. The pace ace bowled 151.2 overs in the five Tests in Australia and then missed the ICC Champions Trophy due to injury. When asked about the workload, RP Singh said that Bumrah could potentially play three games and four at best.
"Bumrah is a special bowler. He has a lot of skill. Whenever a player like Bumrah is in your team, the captain tends to give him more overs. I expect him to play three games and a maximum of four because we also have to protect our asset."
RP Singh also credited Prasidh Krishna for his personal development and picked him as a potential trump card for the visitors.
"Prasidh Krishna has improved his line and length and is bowling in better areas. I feel he can certainly do wonders for the Indian team."