During the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka last month, the Indian cricket team’s batters looked as if they were in a daze while they faced the Sri Lankan spinners. Thus, India lost the series 0-2. The opening game resulted in a tie as Rohit Sharma and his teammates failed to achieve the target of 231. In contrasting styles, India got bowled out for 208 in the second innings while chasing 241; on their turn, they succumbed to 128 all out in the last contest while going after 249 runs.
It has become an open secret that Indian batsmen especially Rohit and Virat Kohli have stumbled when facing quality spin bowling. Commenting on this issue raised by current batch of batsmen, former opener Virender Sehwag explained why it was so.
“More white ball cricket means less spinners coming into play because you bowl 24 balls without flight when it comes to T20 cricket; hence you do not develop skills required to dismiss batsman clubs who do so,” he said adding these factors may be behind this situation. Besides a few junior players have played minimal domestic games compared with international outings where more spinning deliveries are used consequently making them susceptible even against fast medium pace bowlers.” In conclusion, he expressed concern about the lack of quality spinning bowlers in India today stating “I don’t see anyone who can float well and take wickets”.
According to him, “In our time, we used to play ODI or four-day matches and that really helped us realize ourselves; I mean Yuvraj, Dravid, Ganguly and Laxman also played domestic cricket. We played numerous spinners in these games but now with today’s fast paced world there is no time left available for them. Players are not able to develop a skill of batting spin because there are so many leagues.”
