Cricket

Indian Batters' Struggle Against Spin: Sehwag Points Out ReasonsThe Indian cricket team's recent struggles against spin bowling in the ODI series against Sri Lanka have raised concerns about the team's ability to handle quality spin. Former India opener Virender Sehwag has identified several reasons for this failure.One key factor, according to Sehwag, is the proliferation of white-ball cricket. In T20 cricket, bowlers are less likely to flight the ball, which limits their ability to develop the skills necessary to dismiss batsmen. Additionally, Indian players are playing less domestic cricket, where they would face more spin bowling.Sehwag also highlighted the lack of quality spinners in India. "I think there are no quality spinners in India right now whom I see who can fly well and take wickets," he said.In contrast, Sehwag pointed out that during his playing days, Indian batsmen played a significant amount of domestic cricket, which exposed them to a variety of spin bowlers. This experience helped them develop the skills to handle spin effectively.Sehwag's analysis suggests that the Indian team needs to address these issues if they want to improve their performance against spin bowling. This may involve increasing the amount of domestic cricket played by Indian players and developing more quality spinners within the country.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran Indian off-spinner, is preparing for an arduous 10-Test stretch for the national team, starting with the home series against Bangladesh. As he approaches the twilight of his illustrious career, Ashwin remains confident that future generations will surpass his achievements.In a recent interview with veteran cricket journalist Vimal Kumar, Ashwin acknowledged the legacy of Indian spinners that preceded him, including Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. "I am fortunate to have inherited their legacy and built upon it," he said. "My success is a testament to their contributions."Ashwin emphasized the constant evolution of the game, citing the Indian Premier League (IPL) as an example. "The salaries in the IPL will continue to rise in the future," he said. "The world is constantly progressing."Ashwin, who currently holds the top spot in the ICC Test all-rounder rankings, believes that his own achievements will eventually be eclipsed. "I will eventually retire, and someone else will take my place," he said. "It's like a relay race, where each runner contributes to the overall success."Ashwin expressed his conviction that future spinners will surpass his accomplishments. "I am certain that someone better than me will emerge," he said. "The game will continue to evolve, and new players will bring their own unique skills and innovations."Ashwin's comments reflect his humility and his understanding of the cyclical nature of sports. He recognizes that his own success is built upon the foundation laid by previous generations, and he expects future players to build upon his legacy.

India's Spin Prowess: Harbhajan Singh Raises Concerns About Pitch ConditionsAfter a prolonged period of limited-overs cricket, the Indian cricket team is set to return to the Test arena next month. However, former spin great Harbhajan Singh has expressed concerns about the team's ability to play spin effectively.Harbhajan believes that India's recent focus on preparing pitches that turn excessively has hindered the development of their batters. While the bowlers have thrived in these conditions, the batters have struggled to adapt."We've started playing on pitches that turn a lot more. We wanted to win and we did win, but we won in two and a half days," Harbhajan told Sports Tak. "I think, if we had produced normal pitches that started to turn from Day 3 and Day 4, we still would have won, but the batters would have gotten time to settle in."Harbhajan emphasized the importance of providing batters with time to adjust to spin-friendly conditions. He believes that the current approach has eroded their confidence."We dented the confidence of our batters because anybody can get out (cheaply) on those pitches," he said. "We still have a chance (to rectify this). If we play on good pitches, I don't think anyone can beat India."Harbhajan also highlighted the need for senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah to participate in domestic tournaments like the Duleep Trophy. He believes their presence would inspire and motivate younger players."It would be great if they (Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah) play in the Duleep Trophy 2024," he said. "When a big player features in these tournaments, it motivates other players who are playing alongside them."

Gujarat left-arm spinner Siddharth Desai, known for his unconventional run-up, has been making waves in the ongoing Take Sports All India Buchi Babu Invitation Cricket Tournament. Desai's unique approach to bowling from around the wicket has proven highly effective, particularly against right-handed batters.Desai's run-up begins over the wicket, where he cuts through the umpire and stumps. With a slight jump, he bowls from a position closer to the return crease. This exaggerated jump allows him to generate a sharp lift and nip on the ball, making it difficult for batsmen to handle.In a recent match against TNCA President's XI, Desai showcased his skills by claiming four wickets, all of which were right-handers. His ability to bowl from around the wicket and create an angle has been a key factor in his success.Desai's unusual run-up has drawn attention from cricket experts. He explains that it helps him get into a better position at the time of the jump, allowing him to use his body weight more effectively. By minimizing shoulder movement and relying on his fingers, he can transfer his weight better and generate more spin.On pitches that offer bounce, Desai's "nip" becomes even more threatening. The sharp lift and spin make it challenging for batsmen to adjust their timing and shot selection. Desai's unique approach has made him a valuable asset to his team and a player to watch in the tournament.

South Africa's spin wizard Keshav Maharaj etched his name into the annals of cricket history by becoming his country's most successful spin bowler during the second Test against West Indies in Georgetown. Maharaj's three-wicket haul in the second innings propelled South Africa to a 40-run victory, completing a 10-match winning streak against the Windies.The Proteas resumed the final day with a commanding 239-run lead, but the West Indies bowlers, led by the impressive Jayden Seales, fought back to dismiss the tailenders for just 22 runs. Seales' six-wicket haul was a testament to his skill and determination, but it was not enough to prevent South Africa from setting a challenging target of 263.The West Indies chase began with a setback as opener Mikyle Louis was dismissed cheaply. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Keacy Carty steadied the ship with a 42-run partnership, but the loss of Brathwaite triggered a collapse. Jason Holder's dismissal without scoring left the Windies reeling at 104-6.However, Joshua da Silva and Gudakesh Motie provided a glimmer of hope with a 77-run partnership that reduced the target to 82. Maharaj broke the stand by trapping Motie lbw for 45, and the Windies' hopes dwindled further when da Silva was also dismissed lbw for 27.With the pressure mounting, Shamar Joseph was caught by Temba Bavuma, and Maharaj completed the victory by having Seales caught by David Bedingham. Maharaj's match figures of 3-37 surpassed Hugh Tayfield's tally of 170 Test wickets, making him the most successful South African spin bowler of all time.Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who also took three wickets in the second innings, is now just one wicket away from becoming the second South African bowler to reach 300 Test wickets.South Africa's victory in Georgetown was a testament to their resilience and the brilliance of their bowling attack. Maharaj's historic achievement is a fitting tribute to his skill and dedication, and it will undoubtedly inspire future generations of South African spinners.

Keshav Maharaj, South Africa's premier spinner, embodies the unwavering passion and dedication that drives his exceptional performances on the cricket field. His love for spin bowling knows no bounds, as he would gladly start a spell even in the dead of night.In the recently concluded first Test against West Indies in Trinidad, Maharaj showcased his remarkable endurance by bowling 40 overs in the first innings, the second-longest spell by a bowler in men's Test cricket since 2001. Despite the absence of a second specialist spinner in the South African XI, Maharaj embraced the challenge, having prepared diligently for such a workload during the preceding months of white-ball cricket.Maharaj's unwavering commitment to his craft extends beyond the physical demands of bowling. He meticulously maintains his workload, regardless of the format, ensuring that he is always ready for the rigors of Test cricket. His consistency and ability to bowl for extended periods are a testament to his dedication and unwavering desire to contribute to his team's success.On the docile pitch in Trinidad, Maharaj's discipline proved crucial in South Africa's 124-run first innings lead. However, the constant rainfall throughout the match hindered the wicket's deterioration, making it more favorable for batting. Despite the challenging conditions, Maharaj remained optimistic, believing that the wicket would have become more spinner-friendly had the rain not interrupted play.Despite opting for an XI with only Maharaj as a frontline spinner, South Africa's decision proved to be sound. Aiden Markram's exceptional performance as the fourth bowler created opportunities and sparked a West Indian collapse, setting the stage for South Africa to push for a win.However, the match ultimately ended in a draw, leaving Maharaj and his teammates disappointed. South Africa's limited schedule in the current World Test Championship cycle means that they must strive to win every remaining match to enhance their chances of reaching the final.Maharaj remains undeterred, vowing to continue bowling his best ball and being a "wily old character" on the field. His unwavering passion and dedication serve as an inspiration to his teammates and a testament to the enduring spirit of Test cricket.

India's recent ODI series loss to Sri Lanka has raised concerns about their vulnerability to spin bowling on dry surfaces. Captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged the issue, stating that it requires serious attention and individual game plan adjustments.Despite Rohit's impressive batting performance, India's middle-order struggled to cope with the increasing turn and slower tempo of the ball. In the series opener, they collapsed from 75/0 to 132/5, while in the second ODI, they went from 97/0 to 147/6.Rohit dismissed suggestions of complacency, emphasizing that the team remains committed to winning every game. However, he acknowledged that Sri Lanka outplayed India and deserved credit.India's decision to chase in all three matches, due to losing the toss, exposed them to the challenging conditions under lights. In the final ODI, they opted for an extra batter in Riyan Parag, who made his ODI debut and impressed with 3/54.Rohit explained that the bowling changes were influenced by the conditions and the need to provide opportunities to younger players. He praised the performance of India's spinners but stressed the need to address the team's overall weaknesses.India's next ODI series is scheduled for January against England, followed by the Champions Trophy in 2025. Rohit expressed confidence in the team's ability to bounce back from this setback and improve in challenging conditions.

After suffering a 32-run defeat in the second ODI against Sri Lanka, India's all-rounder Washington Sundar has emphasized the significance of the upcoming third and final ODI. This match presents a crucial opportunity for the team to adapt and overcome the challenges posed by spin bowling in difficult conditions, an experience that will be invaluable in preparation for the forthcoming Champions Trophy next year.Sundar acknowledged the team's struggles against Sri Lanka's spinners, which have put India on the brink of its first bilateral ODI series loss to the island nation in 27 years. However, he expressed optimism about the team's ability to navigate through critical situations and learn from the series to improve performance."It is an opportunity for us to go out there and put our hands up and win those critical situations," Sundar said. "Obviously, with the big tournaments coming up, we will be in similar situations and it will be important to find ways as to what we can do to win those critical situations especially in similar conditions against quality spin attack."Sundar defended the team's batting against spin, asserting that the players are adept at playing in such conditions, given their extensive experience in domestic and international cricket. He also mentioned the tactical adjustments the team has made following input from new head coach Gautam Gambhir, who is renowned for his proficiency against spin."We are quality players of spin. We've always played in these kinds of wickets, even at home, in Test matches, and in different formats," Sundar said. "Even domestic cricket, we play a lot of games in such wickets. And we know a lot of our players have done really well, especially in the middle order, batting against spin. So it's just a matter of finding a way, their own individual self and trying to get the job done."Sundar, who has previously delivered a match-winning performance in a T20I against Sri Lanka, expressed his eagerness to capitalize on opportunities to contribute to the team, particularly with the bat during crucial moments of the game."I am someone who works hard and tries to find ways to be successful and to be an asset to the team," Sundar said. "That way when I was thinking about my bowling, I had to do certain things, slightly different, not huge changes, but just to add a couple of more things and do certain things more often and more efficiently."

India's recent loss to Sri Lanka in the second ODI has raised eyebrows, but assistant coach Abhishek Nayar attributes it to the challenging conditions and Sri Lanka's impressive performance.The pitch's significant turn made even less-skilled spin bowlers a threat, Nayar noted. Sri Lanka's spinner Jeffrey Vandersay bowled with excellent length and kept batters pinned in the crease, contributing to India's loss of six wickets in quick succession.Sri Lanka's lower order batting also played a crucial role. Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis scored valuable runs, pushing Sri Lanka's total to 240 for 9, a formidable score on the turning pitch.Nayar acknowledged that India's batting order adjustments, such as Shivam Dube batting at No. 4 and Shreyas Iyer at No. 6, were not particularly radical. The aim was to maintain a left-right combination against Sri Lanka's spin-heavy attack.Despite the loss, Nayar emphasized the importance of middle order batters playing their natural roles. He believes that the thought process behind the batting order was sound, even if it did not yield the desired results.Nayar also praised Sri Lanka's tenacity and ability to adapt to the conditions. He believes that India needs to analyze the reasons for their consecutive losses and rectify any weaknesses.