“Don’t demand rank-turners if you can’t play spin”: Ashwin Slams India’s Spin Batting, Warns Ahead of Crucial Guwahati Test
Ashwin blasts India’s spin batting after Kolkata loss, urging better preparation before the must win Test in Guwahati.
India’s 30 run defeat to South Africa in the first Test at Kolkata has opened up many tough questions, and the sharpest ones have come from Ravichandran Ashwin. He did not hold back while speaking about India’s failed chase of 124 on a turning pitch.
Ashwin said the team cannot demand rank turners if they are not ready to play quality spin. He called the batting effort below par and said only a handful of players defended well. “If you want to play on turning tracks, then your game against spin has to be good. Otherwise, don’t play on such pitches as simple,” he said.
He pointed out that just 3 or 4 of the 16 Indian batters handled spin with any proper technique during the match. The rest struggled to trust their defence and footwork. This was the main reason behind the collapse that cost India the Test.
Ashwin also compared the current group with older generations. He said batters like Amol Muzumdar, Mithun Manhas and Sachin Tendulkar in his prime would have taken this game much deeper. “If these guys had played on the same wicket against spin, this game would have gone to four days,” he said.
He added that Indian players today prepare more for pace bowling because they see that as an overseas challenge. But at home, the focus on spin practice is not the same. He said this is hurting the team even on pitches that should favour them.
Ashwin noted that several Western teams come to India and train hard for turning tracks. They put in more time against spin than Indian players do. This is one reason why they sometimes handle tough conditions better than expected.
He said India’s batting unit can easily fix this by spending more hours training for spin. He also said it is a matter of attitude because the skills required for such surfaces demand patience and confidence.
India now travels to Guwahati for the second Test. They must win there to level the two match series. The pressure is high because losing a home series would be a major setback for the team. More importantly, the batting group will have to show they can learn quickly and respond to the challenge.
Ashwin’s comments reflect the mood inside the camp. The message is simple. India cannot rely on spin friendly pitches alone. They need to be ready to fight on them too. If the players adjust their training and approach, the match in Guwahati could look very different.
