Loving the decision to go with 3 spinners. I was always fed up when we'd pick 2 or 3 seamers who would barely bowl in the sub-continent yet bat 10 or 11. In an ideal world we'd have a pace bowling all rounder to add some balance but we simply don't have that option. It's a strategy that at least makes it a contest imo, otherwise I'd have bitten your hand off for a 1-4 defeat.
In an ideal world the spinners would be more experienced but, again, we've picked as good as we've got (debatable about Dawson but his red ball bowling average isn't stand out either and age makes Ahmed and Hartley far more appealing picks). Root, Jacks and Bess have got wickets in India and these two are as good or better than that. Also ideally we'd have one off spinner as the 3 front line spinners all turn it away from right handers, so I fully expect Bashir to get a game or two. Ahmed bowls a lot of googlies and over variations in white ball, not sure how frequently he will use that in tests. Stokes and McCullum have shown previously they are prepared to be creative with tactics and fields to get 20 wickets and win tests, so at lot will come down to decisions on the field rather than just names on the teamsheet.
We also bat deep. 6 specialist batsmen, Foakes is an underrated batsmen, Ahmed and Hartley have good scores in them, if Wood can score a quick fire 20-30 or two it could be decisive if games are low scoring as expected. I expect Anderson and/or Robinson will get a few games throughout the series too to rest Wood, and if some pitches warrant going with two seamers.
I'd still take a valiant 2-3 defeat or 2-2 draw at this stage but wouldn't rule out England sneaking the series.
well played, india, but the spirit of cricket has taken a mortal blow.