In the build-up to the gruelling five-match Test rubber against India, former England skipper Michael Atherton has made a bold prediction that the spin-heavy hosts will make a difference in the overall outcome of the series, starting January 25 in Hyderabad.

India have named a four-pronged spin attack for the Tests, boasting of variety in their armoury with off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, left-arm spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, along with the left-arm wrist spin of Kuldeep Yadav in their ranks.

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On the other hand, England too are bringing four specialist spinners, including Jack Leach, Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed. But barring Leach all of them are inexperienced. Atherton feels the lack of experience in the visitors’ line-up could be the defining thing in the end.

“I think India will win. Their spinners are better than England’s and that will be the defining thing in the end. 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,” Atherton said.

“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,” Atherton added.

“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,” he further said.

Brook pulls out; Lawrence named as replacement

Ahead of the first Test, England suffered a major setback as they will without Harry Brook, who has gone back due to personal reasons. In his absence, England have named Dan Lawrence as a replacement.

It has been learnt that Brook, who was with the English team for their camp in the UAE, has flown back home. “Harry Brook is set to return home with immediate effect for personal reasons from the England Men’s Test tour of India. The Brook family respectfully requests privacy during this time. In light of this, the ECB and the family kindly request the media and the public to respect their wish for privacy and refrain from intruding on their private space,” a statement from England Cricket Board (ECB) read.

Brook’s withdrawal comes as a major blow to England’s attempts of becoming the first team to win a Test series in India in more than a decade. Ever since making his debut, he has been prolific with the bat, scoring four hundreds from 12 appearances at an average of 62.15.

When Ollie Pope suffered a shoulder-injury during the Ashes, Brook was briefly promoted to No.3. Pope is fit to return in India, meaning England will have to rethink their middle order. Brook’s absence could also prompt the English management to employ Jonny Bairstow as a specialist batter at No.5, with Ben Foakes donning the big gloves.

Meanwhile, Lawrence’s last Test appearance came in March 2022, on the tour of the Caribbean, shortly before the dual appointments of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes as coach and captain helped to revitalise the side.