Even the usually unflappable and deadpan Moeen Ali raised an eyebrow when asked if he was surprised at star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's exclusion from the Indian team so far in the series. "Yeah, a little bit," was all Moeen would proffer, but even England's new vice-captain knows it has been a difficult decision for the Indian team management.
While Ashwin has been learning new lessons in the art of self-denial on the sidelines, the English pitches have been green, the visiting pacers have been steady and there has been the small matter of an exhilarating India win at Lord's. Without Ashwin, of course.
Will it be any different at the Oval, which has traditionally taken turn as the match progresses? Again, it's not so straightforward, in spite of the numbers being in Ashwin's favour, as both Moeen and India's bowling coach Bharat Arun mentioned.
India haven't won in 50 years at the Oval but their seminal 1971 win was fashioned by a spinner. In 13 Tests here, India's spinners have taken 70 wickets to the pacers' 72, at a lower economy and strike rate.
However, statistics can obfuscate too: the last 6 Tests at the Oval have seen spinners take only 53 wickets compared to the pacers' 148. There is also some rain forecast on the last two days so will the damp conditions be conducive to turn?
"History at the Oval says it aids spin but you also know how the Englishmen are wary of Ashwin's abilities and what he could do if there is any assistance from the track," Arun said, suggesting that the pitch may not, after all, suit Ashwin. "The best thing would be to decide after looking at the pitch tomorrow."
Moeen harped on similar lines, saying, "It does look a bit more green than what you normally see here. It's always a good wicket for batting and towards the end the spinners (get some help). Most pitches in England tend to turn a bit, some more than others."
England would want to keep India in a quandary, especially with Ravindra Jadeja being fully fit and a likely starter again. "Jadeja is fully fit. It's unfortunate Ashwin has not played so far and if we feel that he is going to fit into the scheme of things, they will be bowling in tandem," Arun said.
