Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma No Longer Good Players of Spin: Simon Doull Blasts Indian Players

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India’s batting woes against spin bowling have sparked debate once again, following a disastrous performance in the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull, speaking during the lunch break on JioCinema, dismissed the popular belief that Indian batters remain the best in the world at playing spin.

Mitchell Santner Dismantles India’s Batting Line-up

The Indian batting order faltered badly in their first innings, managing just 156 runs before being bowled out. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner wreaked havoc, finishing with remarkable figures of 7/53 from 19.3 overs. Santner’s spell exposed India’s vulnerability on a turning track, adding to the growing concerns over the team’s struggle against slower bowlers.

Doull addressed this issue during his commentary, saying:

“I think it’s a misconception now that modern Indian batters are better at playing spin than others. They are not. They are on the same level as players from other countries.”

Comparing Generations: The Decline in Spin Mastery

Doull pointed out that India’s current crop lacks the finesse that players from earlier generations demonstrated against spin:

“Gone are the days of Ganguly, Gambhir, Laxman, and Dravid. Sachin was exceptional against spin, as was the generation before him,” Doull observed.

During the era of Sachin Tendulkar, Indian batters were widely regarded as the masters of spin. However, Doull believes that this legacy has faded, with even top Indian batters now finding it difficult to tackle high-quality spinners.

Spin Struggles Across Formats

Doull also highlighted that modern Indian players often struggle on turning tracks in the Indian Premier League (IPL), hinting at a deeper issue with their approach toward spin.

“The moment they see a turning track in IPL, they complain,” he added.

India’s spin troubles aren’t confined to Test cricket. Earlier in their white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, the team, led by Rohit Sharma, was stunned by an inexperienced Sri Lankan spin attack, resulting in a series loss. That defeat had already raised questions about India’s ability to handle spinners, even in favorable conditions.

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