Cricket

The dominance of left-arm spinners in Test cricket against India has become increasingly evident in recent years, with the likes of Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner wreaking havoc on Indian batters. While the quality of pitches and the advent of DRS have contributed to this trend, there are also fundamental flaws in the technique of modern-day batsmen that have exacerbated the problem.Former India batter WV Raman attributes the decline in batsmanship against left-arm spin to the T20 mindset, which emphasizes hard hands and a bat that doesn't come down straight. This makes the outside edge more vulnerable to balls that turn away. Rahul Dravid was a notable exception, but his ability to adjust his bat at the point of contact is a rare skill.Sunil Subramaniam, another former left-arm spinner, believes that the tendency to play beside the line and jab at the ball is making modern-day batters susceptible to left-arm spin. This is in contrast to the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, who rarely struggled against the ball turning away playing a defensive shot.Subramaniam also highlights the importance of playing spinners from the hands, rather than trying to read them from the pitch. This becomes particularly challenging on sharp turners.The absence of Cheteshwar Pujara, who possessed the correct technique to deal with left-arm spin, has further weakened India's batting lineup.

Rohit Sharma's recent batting performances have raised concerns among cricket experts, particularly after India's 3-0 Test series defeat to New Zealand. The Indian captain has managed only 133 runs in his last 10 Test innings, prompting scrutiny of his technique and approach.Former teammate Dinesh Karthik believes that Rohit needs to adjust his aggressive style to succeed in Test cricket. "In Test cricket, intent is getting him into a safe space where he feels he can use that when in trouble," Karthik said. "It's not a method where he's using it like he's using it in white ball cricket."Karthik suggests that Rohit should trust his technique and adopt a more balanced approach. "The one thing that Rohit Sharma is not doing, which he did very well when he took up his role as an opener, is trusting his technique," Karthik added. "He went to England, he left a lot of balls. He decided that he can play shots. But what he'd do is, anything outside the off-stump, he would let it go. 'I am going to have the mental strength to bat long.'"Rohit's Test average in 2024 stands at a modest 33, indicating a need for improvement. The Indian team will be hoping that he can rediscover his form and lead them to success in upcoming Test matches.

India's recent Test failures in Bengaluru and Pune have exposed a fundamental flaw in their batting approach: a lack of understanding of the grammar of Test match batting. The team's reliance on white-ball cricket, where explosiveness is prioritized over technique and patience, has left them ill-prepared for the rigors of Test cricket.The absence of key players from domestic first-class cricket has exacerbated this issue. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the team's batting stalwarts, have not played a first-class game this season. While their reasons may be genuine, their lack of match practice has hindered their ability to hone their defensive techniques and increase their capacity to bat for extended periods.This lack of match readiness was evident in India's batting collapses in Bengaluru and Pune. The team's inability to read the pitch conditions and adjust their batting strategies accordingly led to their downfall. Rohit Sharma's incorrect assessment of the Bengaluru pitch and his decision to remove pacers from the game in Pune's second innings highlighted the team's tactical deficiencies.The Indian skipper's acknowledgment of the team's batting shortcomings is a positive sign. However, it remains to be seen whether the team can address these issues in time for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under. The troika of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul is expected to provide stability to the batting lineup, but their recent form and manner of dismissals raise concerns.To their credit, Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir have not shied away from acknowledging the team's shortcomings. They have emphasized the need for patience, technique, and the ability to handle pressure and bat out sessions consistently. This optimism is crucial for India's chances of success in Australia and qualification for the World Test Championship.

Shakib Al Hasan, the enigmatic Bangladesh all-rounder, has devised an unconventional method to correct his head position while batting. During the Chennai Test against India, Shakib was spotted biting down on a black strap wrapped around his neck. This peculiar technique stems from an eye condition that has plagued him since last year.Ophthalmologists have diagnosed Shakib with Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC), a condition that causes fluid buildup under the retina, distorting vision. To compensate for this, Shakib has been working tirelessly to find a way to position his head optimally for sighting the ball.Previously, Shakib experimented with a neck brace to correct his head position. However, he has now come up with the strap mechanism, which he believes provides better stability. "He has come up with this strap. It is completely his idea," said Dr. Debashish Chowdhury, BCB's chief physician. "He is working on a way to hold his head position while batting."Shakib's mentor, Mohammad Salahuddin, praised his ingenuity. "I think it is good for him," Salahuddin said. "He ties it up around his neck, and biting down on it allows him to keep his neck and head steady. When the head and neck moves, the eyes also move, which is not ideal for a batter."Dr. Chowdhury emphasized that only Shakib can determine the effectiveness of this latest experiment. "It is personal thing from him. He will understand if it is working for him or not," he said.Shakib's eye condition has impacted his playing time this year, forcing him to miss matches during the BPL and Bangladesh's white-ball series against Sri Lanka. However, he has returned to international cricket and played a pivotal role in Bangladesh's recent Test series win against Pakistan.Despite his struggles in the Chennai Test, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed confidence in Shakib's abilities. "I look at how much hard work a player is putting into his game," Shanto said. "I am happy with the way that every member of this Test squad has prepared and has been willing to give to the team."Shakib's innovative approach to overcoming his eye condition highlights his determination and resilience. As he continues to experiment with different techniques, it remains to be seen whether the strap mechanism will become a permanent fixture in his batting arsenal.

Former Mumbai Indians fielding coach Jonty Rhodes has shared his observations on Rohit Sharma's batting style and demeanor during his time with the franchise. Rhodes noted that while Rohit's technical footwork may not be the most sound, his exceptional hand-eye coordination and relaxed approach at the crease have been key factors in his success as a batter.Rhodes emphasized that Rohit's practice habits differed from those of legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar. "He didn't practice as hard as Sachin Tendulkar. That's for sure," Rhodes said. However, he acknowledged that Rohit's natural talent and ability to execute his shots with ease have compensated for any perceived lack of technical perfection.Despite criticism for his limited foot movement, Rhodes believes that Rohit's relaxed stance and fluid hand movements have allowed him to overcome this perceived weakness. "He's being criticized for not having a lot of foot movement, but because he is so relaxed at the crease and those hands flow well, it's been great to see him," Rhodes said.Rhodes also praised Rohit's ability to stay true to himself, both on and off the field. He believes that Rohit's lighthearted and playful demeanor has helped create a relaxed and enjoyable team atmosphere. "He's really funny and people don't expect that from Rohit. He's quite the cheeky guy," Rhodes said.Rhodes concluded by highlighting Rohit's leadership qualities, noting that his ability to connect with his teammates and create a positive environment has been instrumental in his success as a captain. "As a captain, that takes the pressure away, the mindset you know, the players are not stressed under him," Rhodes said.

Virat Kohli's performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 has been a topic of discussion among cricket enthusiasts. Despite being a star batter, Kohli's scores so far have been underwhelming: 1, 4, 0, 24, 37, and 0.Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has analyzed Kohli's batting technique and identified an area for improvement. According to Gavaskar, Kohli's balance while stepping out needs to be enhanced."The way he batted in Barbados, made 24, but the ball was hitting the middle of the bat. The same thing happened in Antigua. One technical thing that I want to talk about is that during the IPL, when he used to step out and play, his balance was great. But here his balance is not that good. For that reason, the ball is going on to the stumps when he misses or the ball is not being middled," Gavaskar said on Star Sports before the India vs Australia match.Gavaskar emphasized the importance of balance in Kohli's batting. "If his balance is right, then there is nothing else to worry about. The amount of time he spends on the pitch will give him more confidence."Gavaskar's analysis comes after Kohli's dismissal against Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup. Kohli was well set on 37 when he was clean bowled by a slower delivery from Tanzim Hasan Sakib.Gavaskar's reaction to Kohli's dismissal was in contrast to his praise for Rohit Sharma's aggressive approach. Rohit had scored a quickfire 11-ball 23 to get India off to a flying start in the powerplay."Someone who has hit 10 runs in two balls would not go for a big shot, but for Rohit Sharma, it is all about the team," Gavaskar said on Star Sports.The difference in reaction from Gavaskar to Rohit and Kohli's dismissals left several fans unhappy on social media. The former India batter was tagged "biased" and a "hypocrite" by fans.

Suryakumar Yadav's Footwork Flaw: A Potential Achilles Heel in T20 World CupFormer Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has identified a significant technical flaw in star batter Suryakumar Yadav's batting technique, which could be exploited by rival bowlers in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Rayudu, now a respected analyst, believes that Suryakumar's footwork, particularly against fast bowlers, could be a hindrance to his consistency at the international level.Rayudu's observations stem from Suryakumar's recent performance against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the 11th over, KKR's Andre Russell bowled a delivery outside the off-stump, tempting Suryakumar to pull towards the leg side. However, he mistimed his shot, sending the ball flat towards deep square leg for an easy catch."There is a plan in terms of bowling to Suryakumar Yadav," Rayudu said on Star Sports. "You bowl slow and you bowl wide. We have seen that in the World Cup as well. When the pitch is slow with a bigger boundary on one side, teams have a plan against him. He needs to work on that a little bit."Despite his aggressive batting style and ability to score quickly, this technical aspect could be a hindrance to Suryakumar's consistency at the international level. Rayudu emphasized the importance of addressing this issue to ensure that Suryakumar remains a vital asset for the Indian cricket team.Suryakumar has maintained commendable form throughout this IPL season, tallying 345 runs in 10 matches with an average of 38.33 and a striking rate of 169.95. However, Rayudu's insights could offer a strategic advantage to opposition bowlers in the T20 World Cup.

Ravichandran Ashwin Highlights Ajinkya Rahane's Batting Technique in Ranji Trophy FinalIndian cricket team spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has raised concerns about Ajinkya Rahane's batting technique during the ongoing Ranji Trophy final between Mumbai and Vidarbha. Rahane survived a close LBW appeal when a delivery from Umesh Yadav seamed back and hit his pads. Replays showed that the decision would have been umpire's call, but Ashwin believes Rahane's head position and footwork contributed to his discomfort."We have to talk about Ajinkya Rahane's head position," Ashwin wrote on Instagram. "When the head falls over, it becomes difficult to play deliveries that cut in. When your head falls over, the delivery that seams in will always trouble you. Ajinkya will have to be wary of that."Former Bengal cricketer Joydeep Mukherjee also noticed that Rahane's foot position indicated he was expecting the ball to come straight to his bat. "The foot pointing towards mid-off tells me that he was playing for the ball going straight and not jagging back otherwise it would be a lot straighter," Mukherjee said.Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer was in fine form for Mumbai, scoring 95 off 111 balls. His celebration after reaching his half-century went viral on social media. Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma was in attendance during the match, providing motivation for Iyer to find his form.