By Admin 
IND Vs SA: The crushing 30-run defeat at the hands of South Africa at Eden Gardens has exposed the weaknesses of Team India. Despite giving a modest target of 134 runs, the bowlers of the African team restricted the Indian batsmen to 93 runs. Now former player of Team India R. Ashwin has shown the mirror to the team.
On his YouTube channel, Ashwin candidly said that today’s Indian team, especially against spin, is not as strong as it was before. According to him, teams from western countries now play spin better than India and this was clearly visible on the Eden Garden pitch.
“Had Sachin been there, the match would have gone to the fourth day”
Making a comparison, Ashwin said that if great batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar, Amol Majumdar or Mithun Manhas had played against spin on the same pitch, this Test would have been played not for three days but for four days. According to Ashwin, out of 16 batsmen, only 3-4 were able to defend properly in the match. He clearly said, “If you want to play on turning tracks, your game against spin must be strong. Otherwise do not play on such pitches.”
India’s batting completely faltered
Shubman Gill was out in the first innings due to a neck injury and the team had to bat with only 10 players. Washington Sundar (31) and Axar Patel (26) struggled for some time, but the rest of the batsmen continued to walk cheaply. South African spinner Simon Harmer took 4 wickets.
Indian batsmen’s decline against spin since 2020
Ashwin has presented a shocking figure. He said that between 2016 and 2019, Indian batsmen used to score runs against spin at an average speed of 53.3. From 2020 to 2024, this average has fallen to 33.8. The same decline is also visible in India’s domestic Test dominance. From 2011 to 2023, India had lost only 5 tests at home. However, since 2023, after Gautam Gambhir became the coach, India has lost 5 tests.
“We work hard on fast bowling, not on spin.”
Ashwin said that Indian players now consider fast bowling as a challenge and work harder on it, while ignoring spin bowling. He said, “We were the best spin players in the world. Now western teams are better than us because they practice more.”
Second test now like ‘do or die’
South Africa has won the Test in India for the first time since 2010. The second and final Test of the series will be played on 22 November in Guwahati, where India needs to win at any cost. It is clear that if India has to prove its dominance at home again, it will have to bring back its old identity against spin.