Gavaskar Backs Ashwin on Spin Struggles
After India’s three-day defeat to South Africa in the first Test at Eden Gardens, Ravichandran Ashwin raised concerns about Indian batters’ ability to play spin. He pointed out that players from some Western countries now handle spin better than many Indian batters. Ashwin’s comments came after India’s batting lineup collapsed on a turning pitch, failing to chase a modest target of 124 runs. His remarks sparked a debate about India’s traditional strength against spin bowling.
Ashwin’s statement highlighted a growing issue in India’s red-ball batting approach.
Gavaskar Adds Weight to the Criticism
Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar supported Ashwin’s view, stating that Indian players no longer practice enough on turning tracks. He blamed the decline on players skipping domestic cricket, especially the Ranji Trophy, which traditionally helps develop spin-playing skills. Gavaskar said, “We are not the best players of spin going around in the world at this point in time. Most Western teams are better because they practice it more.”
His comments added fuel to the fire, intensifying scrutiny on India’s preparation methods.
Call for Domestic Focus and Better Practice
Both Ashwin and Gavaskar’s remarks underline the need for Indian players to return to domestic cricket to sharpen their skills. With the BCCI pushing for senior players to participate in tournaments like the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, the message is clear—match readiness and adaptability must be earned, not assumed. The Eden Gardens loss has exposed technical flaws and raised questions about India’s Test match planning.
As India prepares for the second Test, the pressure is on the batters to prove their mettle against spin.
Stay tuned for all the latest Match Predictions, Fantasy Tips, Cricket updates, match highlights, player analysis, and viral moments!