Kuldeep hopeful spin will matter in England

As India go into their five-Test series in England that starts at Leeds on June 20, there is a sense of anticipation around the relatively inexperienced side.

- HT Correspondent

NEW DELHI: They have not won a series in England since 2007, but this feels like the start of a new era.

Fast bowlers will be expected to lead the bowling attack, but wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav is hopeful there will be enough assistance in the pitches for spin to play a key role. India are playing an intra-squad four-day match in Beckenham in the final build-up.

This will be India's first series without several seniors — Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin. The left-arm wrist spinner, who has played only one Test in England — that too as a strange selection for a rain-hit Lord's Test in 2018 which India lost by an innings and all wickets, barring Cheteshwar Pujara's run out, fell to pacers. This time though he is expected to play a crucial role in a team entering an era of transition.

"There is always excitement when you are playing overseas as a spinner. I go in with an attacking mindset and if the wicket and conditions are good, it is helpful," Kuldeep told a media conference at Beckenham on Day 3. "Although I don't worry too much about the conditions, if there is a little assistance, it feels good to bowl."