ADIL Rashid has proved a crucial point to critics who doubted his ability as a Test match cricketer, according to Martyn Moxon.

The Yorkshire leg-spinner is currently enjoying an impressive series in India. Heading into the ongoing fourth Test in Mumbai, Rashid was the leading wicket-taker on either side with 18 victims.

The 28-year-old, who was unable to add to that tally on the second day at the Wankhede Stadium as India fought back, is playing the ninth Test of his career, with his debut coming last October against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.

"It looks as though he's made huge strides forward in this series in his ability to bowl against good players," said Yorkshire director of cricket Moxon.

"He's taking wickets against top players of spin, which is progression from the UAE last year. There, it was kind of said that he couldn't get good players out on turning pitches. This year, he's proved he is capable of doing that.

"It's probably confidence in the fact that he's playing regularly now. He's an integral member of the team over there and that gives you confidence to know it's not a case of 'crikey, if I don't perform I'll be dropped'.

"He's got on a few surfaces that have helped him. Still, that doesn't mean you automatically bowl well. Just because the pitches help you, they've got some of the best players in the world who bat against spin."

The question of whether or not Rashid could play as England's sole spinner in home conditions has been a long-standing one in Yorkshire circles.

Given his good performances, it is now more realistic to expect him to start next July's series against South Africa in the side ahead of Moeen Ali.

"It's definitely going to be interesting when they get back in English conditions to see what happens," said Moxon.

"I think we're all agreed that they will only play one spinner in England. Whether Rash is that one spinner they can trust, only Alastair Cook and Trevor Bayliss can give you that answer. Certainly, Rash hasn't done himself any harm at all."

If he is selected in the Test team, Yorkshire are unlikely to see much of Rashid next summer. He is a regular starter in England's limited-overs sides, both at home and abroad, and they have a heavy scheduled of one-day cricket through May and June, including the Champions Trophy.