For Indian cricket fans with a deep appreciation for the game’s history, the recent collapse against Ajaz Patel at Wankhede Stadium likely resonates even more deeply. It harks back to a time when domestic left-arm spinners were a far more formidable challenge than international bowlers, a sentiment confirmed by veteran Indian batters from the 1980s. Players like Padmakar Shivalkar, Rajinder Goel, and Raghuram Bhat posed such significant obstacles that facing them was often deemed more difficult than taking on international left-arm spinners.
One of the most memorable instances of this was when Sunil Gavaskar, in his final Test innings at Chinnaswamy, fell to Pakistan’s Iqbal Qasim for 96 on a treacherous pitch. It was seen as an anomaly, underscoring the generally dominant position of batters in that era. Left-arm finger spinners were historically regarded as restrictive, and it was a rare sight to see a visiting spinner single-handedly win a Test match in India.
The closest to that was Michael Clarke’s spell of 6-9 at Wankhede in 2004. However, despite his remarkable performance, VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar had already ensured India’s victory with their invaluable contributions. Back then, left-arm spinners weren’t regarded as match-winners, and pitches were less conducive to spin compared to modern-day conditions.
The cricketing landscape has, however, changed dramatically in the past decade. India’s last home Test series loss in 2012, which featured Monty Panesar’s dominant left-arm spin, marked the beginning of a shift. In recent years, lesser-known spinners such as Steve O’Keefe, Tom Hartley, and Matthew Kuhnemann have taken significant roles in India’s defeats, further illustrating the growing struggle against left-arm spinners.
The 2021 series against New Zealand highlighted this trend, with Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner claiming 28 of India’s 60 wickets. Big names like Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill appeared increasingly vulnerable, making it seem almost inevitable that they would fall to the spin duo. Test match pitches today are far more spin-friendly than in the past, contributing to a higher frequency of spin-based dismissals. Additionally, the advent of the Decision Review System (DRS) has reduced the effectiveness of the traditional front-foot pad play, requiring batters to rely more on bat-based techniques—adding to the challenges.
Despite these conditions, Indian batters seem to struggle against left-arm spin due to several technical flaws, particularly influenced by the rise of T20 cricket. WV Raman, a former Indian player and left-arm spinner, suggests that the shorter formats are affecting the defensive techniques of younger players. “Today’s batters often use hard hands, and their bats don’t come down straight. If the bat is slightly across the line, it increases the risk of edging the ball,” he explained.
Rahul Dravid remains a standout exception, renowned for his ability to keep his bat straight and play late with soft hands, which allowed him to counter left-arm spin effectively. In contrast, the increasing prevalence of hard hands—largely a product of T20 cricket—has led to more edges being carried to slips.
Sunil Subramaniam, an early mentor to R Ashwin, offers another perspective on this issue, citing the modern tendency of batters to jab at the ball rather than playing it off the hands. He believes this exposes batters to left-arm spinners more than ever before. “While Tendulkar occasionally struggled against left-arm spinners, especially in domestic cricket, he rarely had issues when playing defensively. The new challenge, however, lies in the way modern batters approach spin,” Subramaniam observed.
He also pointed to the technique of GR Viswanath, who excelled at playing beside the line against left-arm spin. His ability to play late with soft hands is something modern players seem to lack, further compounding their issues against turning balls. Subramaniam noted that today’s players tend to try reading spinners off the pitch, a strategy that becomes increasingly unreliable when the ball turns sharply.
In conclusion, the struggles against left-arm spinners in modern Indian cricket are not just a result of spin-friendly pitches, but also of evolving batting techniques. As Indian cricketers adapt to the challenges posed by these spinners, a deeper understanding of technique, alongside a focus on playing spin with soft hands, could be key to overcoming this modern-day dilemma.
