I know we are all being a bit doom and gloom, but I think it is just going to take a while for this new generation to mature and season into the players we hope they will be. Crawley is 23, Hameed is 24, Pope is 23, Sibley is 25, Lawrence is 24, Dom Bess is 24. They have plenty of time to come good. Obviously, we want that to be sooner rather than later, but even if just two of them turn into top-class players, they will help ensure the success and stability of the side in the future. I think there is plenty of talent in that cohort. Players like Sam Hain and so on aren't far away either.
This is an interesting point. Of India's top 7 recognised batsmen (I've excluded Shami and Bumrah!) 5 are 32-34 years old and Pant is the youngest by some way at 23.
Pant aside, they all made their debuts an average of around 9 years ago. Which would put them around the same age as the English batsmen that billyb has identified.
Is it the case that that 9 years of test experience that the Indians have is a critical advantage? If levels of pure batting technique are equal regardless of age, is this extra experience enabling greater calmness at the crease, fewer nerves, and better shot selection?