England’s young spinners are flourishing in India because of Ben Stokes’ leadership, says Rehan Ahmed.
Despite only playing one Test between them before the tour, Ahmed, Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir have a combined 26 wickets after two Tests.
They have more wickets than India’s experienced line-up, despite coming up against some of the best batters in the world in their own conditions.
“That just shows how great the team environment is,” said Ahmed, 19.
“Tommy and Bash, you’ve seen them come in and not be nervous and that’s credit to the team.
“The environment and the leadership we have, it does make you kind of forget the players you are playing against – we just focus on what we need to do.
“They [Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum] just don’t care about how bad things can go. It’s always about what good you can get out of it.
“So if I bowl four bad balls and get a wicket, that’s better than bowling 16 good balls in a row.”
Ahmed has eight wickets in the series, with 24-year-old Hartley taking 14 and Bashir, 20, four.
The series is level at 1-1 with three to play, starting with the third Test in Rajkot on 15 February.
Ahmed also highlighted the time Stokes gave himself and team-mate Bashir – who are both practising Muslims – time off for Friday prayers as an example of his astute man-management.
“I remember a time in Abu Dhabi where there was a team day out on a Friday,” said Ahmed. “We had Friday prayers. Obviously me and Bash [Bashir] were there. I messaged Wayno [Wayne Bentley], the team manager, asking if we could miss this day because we needed to pray.
“Stokes messaged me straight away and said ‘come to me whenever you want about this kind of stuff, I understand it fully’. And yes he’s stuck by his word.
“Every time I pray he is so respectful, very understanding. Everyone is on this tour.”
On the field, one of the reasons for the form of England’s young spin attack is the performance of wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.
Foakes has taken six catches and two stumpings and Ahmed believes the Surrey man is among the best in the world.
He was dropped for last summer’s Ashes but returned to the side for the India series, with Jonny Bairstow playing as a specialist batter.
“I have never seen anyone as good as him,” said Ahmed. “I reckon he is the best keeper in the world, ever.”
All three of Ahmed’s Test appearances have been alongside Foakes, having made his debut against Pakistan in Karachi in December 2022.
“He trains so hard. I just don’t see him miss a ball. I can’t even explain how good he is,” added leg-spinner Ahmed.
“A couple of those catches [in the second Test] he took 80-90 overs into the game. It’s very hot, it’s humid and he is still taking those types of catches.”
Bumrah tops bowling rankings
Jasprit Bumrah has become the first India male pace bowler to top the world bowling rankings after his player-of-the-match performance in the second Test against England.
The 30-year-old, who had match figures of 9-91 to help India level the series, replaces Ravichandran Ashwin at the top of the ICC rankings.
Bumrah is just the fourth India player to top the rankings after spinners Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Bishan Bedi.
England seam bowler James Anderson, 41, has climbed one place to seventh after taking five wickets in the second Test.
Joe Root, who has a highest score of 29 after four innings so far in the series, drops one place to third in the batting standings.
