Jack Leach believes India could be making of him as England's leading spinner

NICK HOWSON: The Somerset left-arm spinner has taken twice as many wickets as any of the tourists' attack, firmly putting behind him a troubling period

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If indeed India do complete a series victory in Ahmedabad this week and send England and Joe Root packing, it will not have been for nothing for the tourists.

In the form of the revival of Jack Leach, the visitors' leading wicket-taker across the first three Tests, there is a tangible positive to take home.

Since being taken apart by Rishabh Pant in Chennai - their 21-ball duel was smashed for 48 by the wicketkeeper-batter - the Somerset left-armer has claimed 16 wickets and bowled England to victory in that same first Test.

This would be impressive for any visiting spinner, even in the sub-continent. But for a player who had suffered a turbulent previous 14 months beset with illness and limited cricket, it has been a remarkable counterattack.

"I certainly feel this experience, the last six games, the trouble I had before that and lack of cricket leading up the series, the challenges on this tour and then coming up through them strong that has give me a lot of confidence," said Leach.

"I couldn't have expected much more of myself than how I've done and got better through the tour.

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"I do have a lot of confidence that I can go on and play a lot for England and get better and better. 

"That's my opinion but whether that is other people's opinion I can't control whether I'm going to be first choice, second choice, 10th choice. 

"It's not about that, it is about reaching my potential and playing as much as I can. It has given me a lot of confidence and I feel like I can go from strength-to-strength from here.

"I have [thrived] and probably more so now than at any other time. 

"My belief in myself has been highest than it ever has been in the past and doing it out here out in India against some top batters had given me lots of confidence. 

"I know I still have a lot of hard work to do but I've seen how I can come back from disappointment or tough times in games and actually put in good performances. That's more pleasing to me than having it all my own way. 

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Since Rishabh Pant took Leach apart in the first Test the spinner has been a consistent performer

"Obviously that would be lovely and that's where I want to get to, but to come through some tough moments in games and put in good performances has given me a lot of confidence."

Leach's success is all the more impressive given he has been without a regular spin partner. Dom Bess, Moeen Ali and Joe Root - who has taken 19 scalps between them - have been rotated as the second option and while they have enjoyed success in dispatches there have not been a regular threat.

Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin have meanwhile taken 42 wickets in three Tests.

"Obviously they've done really well, they've bowled a lot in India," said Leach when asked how England's spinners have compared to their hosts. "They're very experienced over here, this is my first in India. You're always going to be up against it. 

"I'm enjoying the challenge and I feel like I am bowling well but I am always learning more and more through the tour. It is an exciting challenge and one that I am not going to shy away from."

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