India, Aug. 9 -- India and England go back a long way in cricket, more than a hundred years. In days past, Indian princes led touring teams, now corporate czars own teams in The Hundred. Over the years the nature of contact has changed, moving from cricket to commerce.

At one time, County cricket was considered essential for the growth of players and the best in the world went through its relentless grind. Those days concerns of workload management didn't exist and cricketers played all the time. As contracted professionals, bowlers bowled in the nets, sent down 25-30 overs in a day and drove to the next venue after play ended. Nobody wanted rest.

Most Indian batsmen from the previous generation did a stint in England, learning to bat i...