On flat track, India spinners struggle for preferred results

Given that the fast bowlers asked more questions without luck, the performance of spinners was a major letdown from the Indian point of view.
The Indian spin trio had a tough time with three players of the opposition scoring centuries. (AP)
The Indian spin trio had a tough time with three players of the opposition scoring centuries. (AP)

RAJKOT:They say cricket is a funny game. W­­­­ell, it depends on which side you are. For an England team that l­ost 10 wickets in a session and wi­th them a Test in Bangladesh 10 da­­ys ago, three centuries in one i­n­nings against an attack boasti­n­g the world’s top spinner must h­a­ve been fun. The same can’t be s­aid of a spin trident that took six wi­­ckets for 351 runs in 99.3 ov­e­r­­s.While the flat surface can be seen as a factor behind a start way beyond the dreams of the most diehard member of the Barmy Army, it also has to be acknowledged that Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra were ineffective. Given that the fast bowlers asked more questions without luck, the performance of spinners was a major letdown from the Indian point of view.

Ravichandran Ashwin | BCCI
Ravichandran Ashwin | BCCI

While Jadeja said the entire bowling unit should be responsible instead of expecting Ashwin to run through sides every time, Moeen Ali felt a significant benefit of defying the Indians for so long was the look they got at the off-spinner. It should be, since he bowled 46 overs and failed to take a wicket in four sessions after two in the first on Day 1.

“There was no spin on Wednesday and whatever we saw today happened towards the end of the day. Considering the pitch, we can’t say Ashwin wasn’t effective. But yes, the gain was the number of overs we played against him. We saw a lot of him and realised what it means to attack him. Overall, we should be pleased the way we played spin,” said England’s off-spinner, who spent over two sessions in the middle during partnerships with two other century-makers.
It’s the assurance and confidence England showed against spin that might worry India or prompt them to alter strategy as far preparing pitches is concerned. Not just Joe Root, Moeen or Ben Stokes, India’s spin trio who made life miserable for South Africa and New Zealand found the going difficult even against No 10 Zafar Ansari playing his second Test. “It could have been different had catches been taken or edges carried to fielders,” said Jadeja. “Taking wickets is not just Ashwin’s responsibility. In a group of five bowlers, the other four are equally responsible. Part of it can be attributed to the first day pitch. But it happens sometimes, when even main bowlers go wicketless.”

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com