Speaking to the Times of India, Brearley said: “The Indian team is one of the best the country has had. The seam bowling is the best in-depth that it has ever had.

“(Ravichandran) Ashwin is a fine bowler. The fielding is probably better than ever too. It’s an exciting time to be following cricket in India.”

India are in a lot of trouble, early in the second session.

Rahul and Vijay have both been cleaned up, and India are reduced to 8/2.

Kohli and Pujara will need to revive the innings here.https://t.co/diepgX1qcJ pic.twitter.com/Mz4cEFk9Bu

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 15, 2018

India’s five-man pace attack, comprising Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, have performed well on the team’s away expeditions this year.

They played a big role as India took all 20 wickets in each of the three Tests in South Africa, in three of the five Tests in England, and in the first Test against Australia in Adelaide.

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India also managed three wins, one each on each of these tours, in conditions vastly different and challenging than what they face at home.

This ball from Jasprit Bumrah in Perth was literally unplayable for the batsman and wicket-keeper…pic.twitter.com/HTRG66TctF

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 14, 2018

Also central to these victories has been their captain, Virat Kohli, who was the team’s top scorer on tours of South Africa and England, and registered three centuries.

Brearely commended Kohli’s passion, and called him someone who “wears his heart on the sleeve”.

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“There is a lot to be said for this passion, but of course there are possible downsides,” Brearley said of Kohli’s aggression.

“Each person has to do it in his own way. I’d be more worried about him going a bit passive, almost detached or un-involved, towards the end of the game, as he did at the Oval when England were on top.”