Legendary Indian batsman and former captain Sunil Gavaskar has suggested that the Indian batters need to make some adjustments to their technique while playing on turning tracks. The advice comes after India’s humiliating defeat against the Aussies in the third test in Indore.
Time and again, the Indian batting order has found itself struggling with spin. Once buried and forgotten, the weakness exposed itself yet again in the third test when the Aussie spinners managed to bowl India out for 92 in the first innings.
Gavaskar opined that the Indian batters need to play with soft hands and be more patient while facing spinners on such tracks. He advised them to use their feet to reach the pitch of the ball and play with the spin rather than against it.
According to Gavaskar, the key to success on turning tracks is to read the spin-off the bowler’s hand and adjust accordingly. He suggested that batters should look to play with the spin and not try to play across the line of the ball, which can lead to edges and dismissals.
Speaking to the news agency Indian Express, Gavaskar suggested, “Just like a great wicketkeeper who gets up with the bounce, a batsman, if he crouches just a little bit – not too low – where his head is more in line with the delivery angle, he would get to know which one to play. How far to go forward or is it better to go on the back foot.”
Further speaking on where the batsmen should stand while facing spinners, Gavaskar added, “Standing upright does not give that advantage on turners. They would be able to meet the deviation and bounce better if you crouch a little like a keeper.”
The fourth Test match is set to begin in Ahmedabad from the 9th of March. India would want to win the game in order to seal their spot for the World Test Championship Final.
