The recent series loss to New Zealand has thrown India’s cricket team into a state of disarray, as they displayed a lack of competitiveness across multiple departments during the first two Tests on home soil. This collective failure was evident as batters struggled to cope with the Kiwi spinners on the spin-friendly pitch at Pune, collapsing abysmally in both innings, while the experienced spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja failed to make a significant impact with the ball throughout the match.
Ashwin managed to claim five wickets in Pune, while Jadeja picked up three, yet both seasoned players could not capitalize on the favorable turning conditions, starkly contrasting with the impressive performance by young Washington Sundar, who achieved a remarkable ten-wicket haul. Mitchell Santner, recognized as a white-ball specialist for New Zealand, also proved to be a formidable opponent, claiming 13 wickets in the match and effectively dismantling the Indian batting lineup with his cunning spin bowling.
Although Team India is not expected to hit the panic button just yet, the sobering fact that this marks their first home series defeat in a decade will compel them to engage in urgent discussions to refine their strategies before the situation escalates into a deeper concern.
Former cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra provided a candid assessment, stating that Indian bowlers were genuinely outperformed in the match as, aside from Washington Sundar, the other two spinners could not showcase their top performances.
“You believe spin is our strength. However, are we bowling spin well? That is another big question because we were outbowled. Of course, Washington Sundar changed the game totally. He bowled a few overs and picked up a lot of wickets. You say ‘brilliant’ when you see his performance,” Chopra articulated on his YouTube channel, shedding light on India’s spin woes.
He pointed out that both Ashwin and Jadeja are entering a phase of their careers where their performances will soon be scrutinized, illuminating the possibility of a transitional period for the spin department.
“If Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin are playing together and don’t do that well, you start feeling, although Ravichandran Ashwin was the Player of the Series recently. He works his way out. However, the question is going to come very soon that there will be a transition for them as well. They are the ageing spinners,” Chopra elaborated, emphasizing the need to consider a transition plan for the team’s spin attack.
Chopra feels that India is missing valuable opportunities to prepare for the future; his disappointment extends to the treatment of Kuldeep Yadav, who was controversially excluded from the Indian XI for the Pune Test.
“In such a scenario, I feel India are missing a trick. Ashwin will go first because he is more aged. Jadeja is fitter and younger as well. So he will stay for longer. You need to start grooming. You started giving a chance to Washington Sundar now but you didn’t do the right thing with Kuldeep,” he voiced, indicating a crucial oversight in player management.
Kuldeep Yadav out of BGT 2024-25 squad
Chopra also raised questions over Kuldeep’s conspicuous absence from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad for injury management reasons, even as he remains an integral part of the team for the upcoming third Test against New Zealand.
“You are not preparing Kuldeep, and he is that guy because modern-day batters surrender against such wrist spin. However, we are not playing him. We are not being honest with him in a sense. He is being sent for injury management although he is available for the Mumbai match,” Chopra critiqued, expressing concern over the handling of one of India’s promising spin bowlers.
