Nothing can be more fleeting than the English weather. For the Indian team, which was so enthused for the past 15 days over the parched conditions, had to cancel their first training session in Edgbaston and in many ways the hammer was dropped for the rest of the series.
Fast bowlers were expected to take the backseat, spinners were expected to step up and batsmen were expected to have an absolute party, but then it rained and cloudy conditions have put the hosts' marquee bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad back in contention. Not that anyone was ruling them out, but now if conditions do actually favour them, they will become different beasts.
India struggled when the ball was pitched up
As the Indian batting were sliced in Chelmsford against the seaming ball, this is certainly not good news for Virat Kohli and company.
There have been so many statements flying all over the place, so many pundits putting forth their own theories until this new spell of showers decided to intervene. It is apt for us to recollect what James Anderson had so famously said when they were being rubbed into the ground back in India in 2016.
"I just think any technical deficiencies he's got aren't in play out here. We had success against him in England but the pace of the pitches over here just takes any flaws he has out of the equation. There's not that pace in the wicket to get the nicks, like we did against him in England with a bit more movement. Pitches like this suit him down to the ground. He's a very good player of spin and if you're not bang on the money and don't take your chances, he'll punish you."
So now he might have the clouds over his head, a pitch which will have formidable grass cover and as England prepare to play their 1000th Test match, the Kohli vs Anderson battle will certainly be a battle within the bigger picture.
The India skipper will be aware of exactly what is transpiring, he will be well aware of his numbers, of his record against Anderson -- five dismissals in 2014, and he averaged 13.4 in the five-match series.
All we now need to do is sit down and wait for the first ball to be bowled, for let the conditions be the way they are, it makes Test cricket just like life -- fleeting and ready to jump up and bite you when you look away.
Let the games begin!
