Spinners must step up for India after first-Test letdown - Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles

Indian team after a fall of a wicket. Source ( Indianteam Insta)

Atreyo Mukhopadhyay in Pune

After rains in Bengaluru, a blazing sun greeted the teams in Pune. With that, the focus turned to the pitch at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, in the outskirts of the cultural capital of the state. India must win the second Test against New Zealand to harbour hopes of clinching the series and confirming a berth in the World Test Championship final.

The playing surface was covered in the morning. That was natural, considering that there was some rain here as well, until 48 hours ago. When the Indians arrived for practice in the afternoon, the sheets were removed and the square was laid bare under a harsh sun for a few hours. This suggests that there was an attempt to keep it dry so that it assists the spinners.

The Indians possibly believe that spin and not pace is the best weapon against this visiting side, which will miss key batter Kane Williamson for the second successive game. The presence of five spinners in the squad of 16 as against three fast bowlers is an indication of that. Will the tweakers be able to deliver, after an indifferent outing in the first Test?

“The wicket (in Bengaluru) wasn’t particularly helpful to the spin, for all the spinners who weren’t showing. If conditions are more spin-friendly, then I’m sure the guys will be fine,” said India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate on Tuesday.

The vaunted spin unit was a letdown in the first Test, after India were bowled out for a shocking 46 in the first innings. The team had fought back by taking seven wickets for 233 runs. That’s when Rachin Ravindra and Tim Southee cut loose against Ravichandran Ashwin & Co. and took the game away from the hosts in the blink of an eye.

Ashwin went for 5.87 runs per over. Kuldeep Yadav, who was expected to provide the X factor, also conceded more than five runs per over. Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets with a better economy rate. But in terms of having control over the batters, he didn’t perform very highly either. The success of the Kiwis against the spinners turned out to be a key factor in the end.

Keeping in mind India’s dependence on spin in home Tests and the remarkable success of the spinners in these conditions, it’s important that this unit fires in the second Test. By the looks of it, the pitch will assist them. In that case, they will have to be able to exploit the conditions.

In the two previous Tests at this venue, featuring Australia in 2017 and South Africa two years later, spinners accounted for 39 of the 65 wickets to fall. When it comes to Indian spinners, they took 24 of the 40 wickets the team claimed. Add to this that Australia’s Steeve O’Keefe claimed identical figures of 6/35 in two innings in 2017 and you’ll get an idea what type of bowling this pitch favours.

The Indian team has added intrigue to the drama by including Washington Sundar in the squad. Although primarily a batter in his under-19 days, this Tamil Nadu player has often been considered for the spin-bowling all-rounder’s slot when it comes to representing the senior side. Initially, it was thought that Ashwin had a niggle and his statemate had been taken as a cover for him.

India’s assistant coach, however, dispelled that notion. “Ashwin is absolutely fine. He bowled nicely. I know he bowled only two overs in the second innings (in Bengaluru). But it looked like his pace and his rhythm were back to where it needs to be,” said Ten Doeschate.

In that case, Washington’s inclusion leads to speculations whether he will be in the XI, given that there are a number of left-handers in the Kiwi batting line-up. “With four left-handers in their XI, we want the option to take the ball away from the left-handers as well. We’re prepared for the conditions and if that does mean taking the ball away from the left-hander, we want that option.”

Jasprit Bumrah and his bagful of tricks will of course be a big hope for India in this must-win Test. The spinners will also have to play a significant role. As far as early pitch reports go, things could be in their favour. Will they be able to take advantage? The answer to this will go a long way in determining the fate of the team in its comeback bid.

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