The Indian team struggled vs spinners in the game vs USA, and then the same story was repeated in the Namibia game. Yes, India won those matches convincingly, but playing spin at home is something that our batters haven’t been doing well. In the USA encounter, Harmeet Singh returned with figures of 2/26 and Ali Khan with 1/13; Gerhard Erasmus was brilliant with his 4/20 for Namibia.
Indian batting in focus vs Pakistani spinners
And the next match is versus Pakistan on Feb 15, who have spinners like Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and the x-factor bowler Usman Tariq. It could be trouble loading for the hosts. R Ashwin has raised similar concerns over this issue. “I want to appreciate Namibia the way they restricted India to 210. It was a massive achievement. They don’t get a lot of exposure throughout the year,” he said on his channel ‘Ash ki Baat’.
Ashwin raises valid point
“We can’t fault Namibia. But this was yet another match practice for India. But the skill that Gerhard Erasmus showed, it is something India will be wary of, because against Pakistan, we will have to play four spinners. So my biggest concern is how they will play some of these Pakistan spinners. There are some doubts in my mind about this now,” he added.
Not to forget, Pakistan also have Saim Ayub, who has a knack of picking wickets, and also leg spinner Shadab Khan, who can change the match on his day. Conditions will also assist their spinners in Colombo. “India did struggle a bit against spin. It is some food or thought on how to handle spinners. Premadasa is a big stadium and they will have to take ones and twos, need not necessarily be a six-hitting ground,” he said.
