India under a spell?

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Tuesday August 24, 12:16 PM

India under a spell?

By A Mid Day Correspondent

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Spin has always been considered India’s strength, bowling or batting.

However, Ganguly’s men in blue seem to have developed feet of clay while facing spinners in the abridged version of the game in recent times.

Bowlers like Upul Chandana, Sanath Jayasuriya, Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi have left them embarrassed with their modest guile.

The last two defeats, first against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup and second in Videocon Cup opener vs Pakistan, India has lost 13 wickets to spinners.

We try and look where the problem lies.

Leaden footed

Gone are the days when an Indian batsman would smother the spin by reaching the pitch of the ball. The batsmen nowadays commit the cardinal spin of trying to play the slow bowlers from the crease, as a result of that they can’t milk the bowlers like in the past.

Sweepshot

Perhaps the safest bet on wicked turning tracks, the Indians appear to be reluctant to lap the ball. Probably they are not confident enough but who so dares, wins.

Reverse sweep

The South Africans and the Australians have mastered this shot and have used it effectively to counter spinners from the sub-continent.

Apart from Rahul Dravid and the maverick Harbhajan Singh no one else attempts this shot to disturb the opposition.

Arrested development

The team think-tank is adopting the same tried and tested formula for over a year now. It is for this reason the team has failed to evolve. A change in the batting order would perhaps make the difference.

How about sending Yuvraj Sing (not renowned player of spin) at three and shunting the skipper (better facing off spinners than pacers these days) lower down the order? Ganguly’s experience could come more than handy in the middle overs. What say Mr Wright?

Asia Cup final

Result: Sri Lanka won by 25 runs

Jayasuriya 10-0-34-2, Chandana 10-0-33-3, Dilshan 4-0-12-1

Videocon Cup

Result: Pakistan won by 66 runs
Shahid Afridi 6-0-20-4 (1w), Shoaib Malik 4-0-18-3 For latest newsupdate logon to www.mid-day.com

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