The much-awaited England vs India test series is all set to begin on August 4. The Indian side will be looking to make a fresh start after the loss in the World Test Championship finals against New Zealand, last month. Given the conditions in England, a lot of emphasis is given on Indian pacer, but South African cricketer Dale Steyn thinks otherwise.

In a column for Espncricinfo, Dale Steyn expressed his thoughts about the upcoming England vs India test series. The pacer believes that spinners will make a big difference in the series. He said,

“Maybe it’s out-of-the-box thinking here from me, but I think we’re putting a lot of emphasis on the seamers when someone like R Ashwin might be the biggest key for India. As these five Test matches go on, I think spin will be the difference.”

Teams like England and Australia don’t tend to play spin particularly well: Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn also stated the reason that teams like England and Australia who are good at facing the seamers, struggle against the spinner. He said,

“Ashwin is the kind of bowler that bowls tons and tons of overs. Teams like England and Australia, who are so good at playing seamers and seamer-friendly conditions, don’t tend to play spin particularly well. So Ashwin might be the biggest trump card that India have going forward. And the same thing for England – can they find somebody who can spin out Rishabh Pant?”

“So it might be the fight of who the better spinners are in the series,” Dale Steyn added.

Ravichandran Ashwin has picked 18 wickets in seven matches at an average of 28.11 in England. He was the leading wicket-taker in the inaugural season of the World Test Championship. Ashwin is ranked second in the ICC Test rankings for the bowlers.

He will be high on confidence after picking 6/27 playing for Surrey in the County championship game recently against Somerset. The tall Indian off-spinner will be keen to continue his good form in the upcoming test series against England.

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