India‘s assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, has offered an in-depth analysis of India’s recent struggles against spin bowling during their ODI series against Sri Lanka. In an exclusive interview with TalkSport, ten Doeschate, who has recently been appointed to Gautam Gambhir‘s coaching team, revealed the underlying issues that have contributed to India’s poor performance against spin.

Decline in India’s spin-playing prowess

Historically, Indian batters have been renowned for their ability to play spin, a skill honed on the subcontinent’s turning tracks. However, ten Doeschate pointed out that India’s performance against spin has significantly declined. The series against Sri Lanka saw India lose 27 out of a possible 30 wickets to spin, a shocking statistic that highlights the extent of the problem. Ten Doeschate expressed concern over this decline, emphasizing the need to refocus on mastering the art of playing spin, which has long been considered a strength of Indian cricket.

“One of the challenges I wasn’t expecting and I kind of overlooked is the playing of spin by Indian batters. We got undone in Sri Lanka,” Ten Doeschate said.

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Ryan ten Doeschate analyzes India’s struggles against spin

Ten Doeschate attributed part of the problem to a shift in focus within the Indian cricketing setup. Over recent years, the emphasis has been on performing well in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries, where conditions typically favor fast bowling.

This shift has led to Indian batters becoming more proficient against pace, but at the cost of their ability to handle spin, particularly on subcontinental pitches. The Dutch coach acknowledged that this change in priorities has had a detrimental effect on the team’s overall performance against spin, especially in familiar conditions like those in Sri Lanka.

“The Indian mindset has become so driven to do well overseas. Focus is moved to doing well in Australia and England, and we have let playing spin, something that has always been the strength, fall back a little bit. We want to get into a position where Indians are the best players of spin, again,” the 44-year-old added.

The road ahead: Reclaiming spin mastery

Addressing this issue is now a top priority for the Indian coaching staff. Ten Doeschate stressed the importance of reclaiming India’s reputation as the best players of spin, a title that has slipped away in recent years due to the altered focus. He admitted that he was surprised by the extent of the struggle against spin and recognized the need for immediate corrective action.

As India prepares for their upcoming series against Bangladesh, which includes two Tests and a three-match T20I series starting on September 19, addressing these spin-related challenges will be crucial. The ability to play spin effectively will be a key factor in determining India’s success, particularly in subcontinental conditions where spin bowling often dominates. The coaching staff, led by Ten Doeschate, will need to ensure that Indian batters are well-prepared to face the challenges ahead.

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