Indiaassistant coach, Ryan ten DoeschateOffered an in-depth analysis of India’s recent struggles with spin bowling during the ODI series. Sri Lanka. In an exclusive interview with TalkSport, recently appointed ten Doeschate Gautam Gambhir‘s coaching team revealed the key issues behind India’s poor performance against spin.
A decline in India’s spin-playing prowess
Historically, Indian batsmen have been known for their ability to play spin, a skill developed on the turning tracks of the subcontinent. However, on Doeschate noted that India’s performance against spin has declined significantly. The match against Sri Lanka saw India lose 27 out of a possible 30 wickets for spin, a shocking statistic that highlights the extent of the problem. Ten Doeschate expressed concern over this decline, stressing the need to refocus on the art of playing spin, long considered the strength of Indian cricket.
“One of the challenges that I didn’t anticipate and kind of overlooked is the spin game of Indian tattoos. We are done in Sri Lanka” Ten Doeschate said.
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Ryan ten Doeschate analyzes India’s struggle with spin
Ten Doeschate attributed part of the problem to a shift in focus within the Indian cricketing establishment. In recent years, the focus has been on good performance SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countriesconditions here usually favor fast bowling.
This change has led to Indian batsmen becoming more adept against pace, but at the cost of their ability to handle spin, especially on subcontinental pitches. The Dutch coach admitted that this change in priorities had a negative impact on the team’s overall performance against spin, especially in familiar conditions like Sri Lanka.
“The Indian mentality is so motivated to do well abroad. The focus is on doing well in Australia and England and we have allowed spin to play, which is always a strong thing. We still want to be in a position where Indians are the best spin players.” added the 44-year-old.
The road ahead: Regaining the mastery of turning
Now solving this problem is the top priority for the Indian coaching staff. Ten Doeschate stressed the importance of reclaiming their reputation as India’s best spin players, a title that has slipped in recent years due to a changed focus. He admitted he was surprised at the extent of the spin fight and acknowledged the need for immediate remedial action.
“I don’t think we will bring technical knowledge to these guys. It’s more about mindsets, situational awareness, how we think they can handle certain phases of the game. (It’s about) throwing ideas out there, de-briefing and keeping the mental space really well. It’s going to be really important.” On Doeschate concluded.
As India prepare for their upcoming series BangladeshAddressing these issues will be crucial with the rotation, which includes two Tests and a three-match T20I series starting on September 19. The ability to play effectively with spin will be a key factor in determining India’s success, especially in subcontinental conditions where spin bowling often dominates. The coaching staff led by Ten Doeschate should ensure that the Indian batsmen are well prepared to tackle the challenges ahead.
