‘They have enough ammunition’

If there are concerns about India’s ability to take the 20 wickets they need to win a match, those doubts apply to England as well.

Beaten 4-1 in India last year, Ben Stokes’ men are tipped to turn the tables on home soil in a series that launches the new cycle of the World Test Championship following South Africa’s dramatic defeat of Australia in last week’s final at Lord’s.

England, however, are without the retired duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, their two most successful Test bowlers of all time with a combined 1,308 wickets between them.

“It feels so good when both of them are not there,” said Pant, adding: “But at the same time, they have enough ammunition in the England bowling line-up.

“We don’t want to take anyone lightly because our team is also young and still looking to develop themselves.”

England’s desire to field an attack including both Jofra Archer and Mark Wood has been hampered by repeated injuries to the fast bowlers.

Both Archer and Wood will be missing at Headingley, where Durham paceman Brydon Carse is set to make his home debut in an attack where Chris Woakes, who missed most of the start of the season with an ankle injury, is the senior seamer.

“There’s no hiding away from the fact that, over a number of years, England have had Broad and Anderson as the main two bowlers, so it is slightly more inexperienced,” said Carse.

The 29-year-old added: “I think it’s a good chance for a couple of younger players, with slightly less experience, to stamp down some authority throughout the series.”

Broad, however, told The Times: “Looking at England, with all the injuries they’ve got — where are they getting 20 wickets?”