India face New Zealand in a three-match home series for the first time since the start of Test cricket. Even though the team failed in all aspects compared to its opponents, the talking point has always been the team’s ability to play spin bowling. Facing the likes of Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel, Rohit Sharma’s side looked clueless and lacked confidence in their defensive and attacking skills.
Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu posted a clip of his past spin batting analysis during a broadcast on X (formerly known as Twitter) and added his A clip of his own batting on how to aggressively fight spin and create doubt in the game.
Play Spin on a Turning Track – 1 often walks up to the spinner, messes with his mind and keeps him guessing…. 2 Make sure you step out when he’s cornered (delivery point), this takes instinct and hours of practice 3 Watch his wrist like a hawk until… https://t.co/2Y0vXuSLmt
— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) November 6, 2024
“Play spin on a turning track – 1. Frequently walk up to the spinner to mess with his mind and keep him guessing… 2. Make sure you step out when he is at the point of no return (delivery point), which Requires instinct and hours of practice 3. Watch his wrists like a hawk until the final coded delivery 4. Small initial forward movement – allows you to hit the ball late and adjust back and forth… Whether it’s a rush or a pitch, you’ll be hit. At the mercy of the bowler, unable to attack – a dying duck in a thunderstorm,” he wrote.
On the other hand, former India batsman and coach WV Raman feels that the pitch provided for home Test matches bears little resemblance to the pitches players encounter in domestic cricket. He said the Test should be played on a conventionally good pitch where the batsmen pass. “Why don’t we provide conditions for Test matches in domestic cricket?” Raman retorted when asked if the BCCI should prepare a spin-friendly deck in the Ranji Trophy.
