In the lead-up to the highly anticipated five-match Test series between India and England starting on January 25, Monty Panesar, a key figure from the victorious 2012 England squad, is optimistic about the impact of uncapped offspinner Shoaib Bashir. Panesar believes Bashir's unique skills, honed in county cricket, could pose a significant challenge to Indian batters, particularly the likes of Virat Kohli and Shubhman Gill.
Shoaib Bashir, a 20-year-old offspinner, made his First-Class debut at 19 and has caught attention with impressive performances, including 10 wickets in six First-Class games. Monty Panesar, having observed Bashir closely, expressed excitement about the young spinner's potential impact on the series, especially on the turning tracks of Indian soil.
Panesar highlighted Bashir's high-arm action, noting that it could trouble batters like Kohli and Gill, who are inclined towards driving the ball. He believes Bashir's ability to make the ball move off the pitch could create difficulties for the Indian batsmen, potentially forcing errors.
However, Panesar acknowledged the challenges posed by Indian batters, particularly Rohit Sharma's exceptional counter-attacking abilities on turning pitches. He emphasized the need for England's pace bowlers to dismiss key Indian players early, especially Rohit Sharma, who demonstrated his prowess with a historic century in the recent series against Afghanistan.
Panesar also recognized the threat posed by Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav, praising his self-belief. However, he expressed confidence in England's batsmen, led by Joe Root and Ben Stokes, who have extensive experience in handling turning pitches due to their IPL exposure.
While acknowledging the talent of Indian spinners, Panesar cautioned that Jasprit Bumrah could be a formidable force and shouldn't be underestimated. He also emphasized the unpredictable nature of Kuldeep Yadav, who, on his day, could be a game-changer for India.
As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the series, Panesar's insights provide a nuanced perspective on the potential impact of spinners and key players, adding to the anticipation surrounding this exciting clash between two cricketing giants.
(With Agency Inputs)
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