The Indian cricket team has resumed practice at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, preparing for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. After a month-long break, Indian players, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill, are back to work as they aim to fine-tune their skills, especially against spin bowling, ahead of the two-match series that kicks off on September 19.
With matches scheduled at spin-friendly venues in Chennai and Kanpur, a key focus in the training sessions is tackling Bangladesh’s powerful spin attack. Historically, Indian batsmen have struggled against quality spinners, and Bangladesh’s line-up, featuring Shakib Al Hasan, Taijul Islam, and Mehdi Hasan Miraz, could pose a significant challenge.
Why Spinners Pose a Threat to India’s Star Batsmen
Indian captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli have both shown signs of vulnerability against spinners in recent years. Data from the past three years reveal that both have struggled to score freely and have lost their wickets more frequently to spin bowling, raising concerns ahead of the series against Bangladesh, who possess some of the best spinners in world cricket.
- Virat Kohli vs Off-Spin: Kohli has found it challenging to face off-spinners, scoring 380 runs from 765 deliveries in the last three years but falling to them 11 times.
- Rohit Sharma’s Struggles: Rohit has also had difficulties against off-spin, managing only 208 runs in 420 balls and being dismissed seven times.
The importance of improving their batting against spin cannot be overstated, given the spin-friendly conditions they will face in the upcoming series.
Shubman Gill’s Battle Against Left-Arm Spin
While Rohit and Virat have had their struggles, the young Indian opener Shubman Gill has been particularly troubled by left-arm spinners. Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul Islam are both left-arm spinners who could exploit this weakness.
Gill has lost his wicket to left-arm spinners 10 times in the last few years, scoring just 202 runs off 481 deliveries. His inability to handle these bowlers effectively is an area of concern for the Indian team, as the opening pair will be crucial in setting the tone for the series.
The Spin-Friendly Pitches: Advantage Bangladesh?
Both Chennai and Kanpur are known for their turning tracks, which will favor the Bangladesh spinners. Shakib Al Hasan, Mehdi Hasan Miraz, and Taijul Islam have proven to be game-changers for Bangladesh, most recently in their historic series win against Pakistan. With confidence high, Bangladesh will be keen to exploit the Indian batting lineup’s struggles against spin.
India’s Training Focus: Tackling Spin
To address these issues, the Indian team has focused heavily on spin-bowling drills during their practice sessions in Chennai. The coaching staff is well aware of the team’s weaknesses against spin, and they are working diligently to sharpen the batsmen’s technique and temperament.
- Kohli and Rohit’s Preparation: Virat and Rohit have been spending extra time facing both off-spin and left-arm spin in the nets. The focus is on improving their footwork and finding ways to rotate the strike, which will be key in preventing the Bangladeshi spinners from dominating.
- Gill’s Focus on Footwork: Gill, on the other hand, has been focusing on improving his ability to play left-arm spin, with coaches advising him on adjusting his technique to counter Shakib and Taijul.
Bangladesh’s Confidence Boost After Historic Series Win
Bangladesh’s recent success in a series against Pakistan, where their spinners played a crucial role, has given them added confidence. With their spinners in top form, they will be looking to target India’s vulnerabilities and capitalize on the turning tracks in Chennai and Kanpur.
What to Expect from the Series
With Bangladesh’s spinners eyeing to exploit India’s weaknesses and the Indian team working hard to counter the threat, the Test series promises to be an intriguing battle. Both teams will be eager to prove their dominance, and how well India handles the spin will likely be the deciding factor.
