Even though it has been a month since India lost to Sri Lanka in a bilateral ODI series, fans and experts are still questioning whether Indian batsmen, who are recognized for their prowess against spinners, are truly effective against them.
Sri Lanka’s spin bowlers ensnared India’s highly regarded batting order in all three matches of the ODI series, clinching the series 2-0. This marks the first occasion in 27 years that Sri Lanka has triumphed in a bilateral ODI series against India, and it was particularly satisfying as their spinners took an unprecedented 27 wickets across just three matches, setting a record for the most wickets taken against India by any team in a bilateral series.
Let us address the main issue regarding Indian batsmen, who have been raised on slow spinning tracks, suddenly struggling to handle spinners.
The Art Of Batsmanship Is Dying. Is It?
As the T20 format becomes more dominant than the 50-over format, young players tend to focus on aggressively hitting the ball instead of skillfully placing it through the field. This approach often leads them to struggle against skilled spin bowlers who entice them into lofting the ball, a risky endeavour for any batsman, no matter how much power they possess.
Inability to Read The Bowler Off His Hand
Reading bowlers from their hand is a rare talent for a batsman, often regarded as a gift from the gods. However, putting in hard work on batting and facing more spinners in practice sessions, along with consciously making an effort to read bowlers’ hands, will undoubtedly benefit them throughout their careers. Eventually, they will come to understand that they can play spinners much more effectively than simply relying on slog sweeps or clearing the boundary through sheer strength.
The Question Of Dancing Down The Track To The Spinners?
Regardless of the number of innovations introduced in any sport, the fundamentals remain unchanged.
This is true for cricket as well.
A batsman willing to step out of their crease to meet the ball can effectively counter spin by either smothering it or hitting spinners over their heads. Such actions can instill doubt in the minds of spinners, prompting them to alter their strategies. If a batsman can achieve this, it leads to success. However, it’s important to note that stepping out should not be done recklessly; it must be approached with careful consideration.
A Matter Of Rotation Of The Strike
Nowadays, most teams feature numerous power hitters because of the prevalence of T20 matches. These batsmen, despite their wealth of batting talent, often depend heavily on hitting fours and sixes, believing that this approach fulfills their role. However, this strategy is ineffective in critical situations. Both batsmen at the crease should aim to rotate the strike, which limits spin bowlers from targeting a specific batsman. This disrupts the bowlers’ plans and frustrates them, leading to poor deliveries that batsmen can exploit with minimal risk.
Last, But Not The Least; You Got To Use Your Bat, not pad
Nowadays, when a batsman has difficulty facing spinners, he often resorts to using the pad.
Even though he believes that the bat is positioned in front of the ball, even the slightest of hesitation can cause trouble. If the spinner is precise, then the delivery may likely hit the pad first, thus making him vulnerable to an LBW.
And who’d ever wish for being a candidate for that?
With numerous doubts in a batsman’s mind, they often plant their front foot with stiff hands, resulting in the edge of the bat being exposed and allowing close-in fielders to seize those opportunities. This is why utilizing the depth of the crease by going back and across while playing with softer hands is a much better and safer option than merely slogging or poking at deliveries.
With numerous technical aspects now integral to every team, individuals can assess the strengths and weaknesses of all batsmen and bowlers. Whether a player is a bowler or a batsman, they can learn from their mistakes. All it takes is for them to return to where they began: the fundamentals of playing first-class cricket or diligently working on their game to identify areas for improvement. As the saying goes, the pursuit of improvement never ends in life, no matter how skilled one may be.
