As my readers go through this, it is time for the all-important Test match in Guwahati. With India 0–1 down in the series and World Test Championship (WTC) points on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher. In the absence of skipper Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant’s India will have their task cut out. There is a lot of negativity around, and that’s what makes this match all the more interesting.
A deep dive reveals one issue that could decide the game: India’s ability to play spin. To say this would have been unimaginable a few years back. India and spin once went hand in hand – no longer. We aren’t playing quality spin well, and that’s a fact, especially on difficult batting pitches where the tweakers get some purchase. We haven’t shown the temperament or the skill to negotiate good spin bowling, and that explains India’s poor record at home over the last 12 months.
It boils down to two things. The first is the lack of skill. The second, which stems from the first, is growing impatience at the crease. Because of the relative lack of confidence against spinners, we have seen two different responses. One is the overly attacking approach – often an attempt to score quick runs and mask the skill deficiency. The other is the overly defensive approach, an attempt to battle inner demons and reset the narrative. Neither has worked for India, and this could well decide the fate of the game in Guwahati.
At home, in conditions that should suit them, India needs to conquer the inner demons that have created a fear of failure. Four Test losses at home in 12 months—unthinkable just a few years ago—have scarred the team. They know the knives are out and that they can’t afford another slip-up. And that’s where the pressure starts to mount. You can’t think about the result before the game, because that’s when the process becomes secondary. India’s batters must play spin well, and if they do, all debates will be settled. India have the bowling to floor South Africa; it will all come down to the top order and whether they can score big.
In the absence of Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal—who failed in both innings in Kolkata—and Pant will hold the key. Both can take the game away in a single session and are good players of spin. They have the skill set and the potential. But do they have the patience to rein themselves in if needed? Can they wait for the right balls to attack and work on their shot selection?
Guwahati could well be one of the most important Test matches in recent times. The situation is dire in the aftermath of the Eden Gardens defeat, and coach Gautam Gambhir will be desperate to turn things around. All of his players agreed that their inability to apply themselves—and not the pitch—explained the Eden loss. Now, it is time for them to walk the talk. With so much at stake, it promises to be an intriguing game.
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