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To play spin bowling, batters either need to use their feet well or play the sweep-shot effectively. The Indian batters – especially the middle-order ones who are clueless against a moderate Sri Lankan spin – aren’t using those two tools effectively. They are standing on the crease and submitting to their fate without putting up a resemblance of fight. If the Indian batters wish to smash the Lankan spinners without stepping out or playing the sweep shots, they still need to use the length and breadth of the crease to execute their shots by getting into good positions.
By moving across the crease, the batsman can access different areas of the pitch and adjust their shot selection based on the length and line of the delivery. If the ball is short, moving back and across can help in positioning better for the pull or cut shots. For fuller deliveries, stepping forward or using the feet can help in playing straight or driving.
The India’s middle-order is struggling against the Lankan spinners and it’s crucial for the batters to adapt these techniques effectively. Standing still on the crease can make it easier for spinners to bowl to a consistent line and length, thereby, making it difficult for the batters to score. The ability to use the crease, step out, and play sweep shots allows for better control and opportunities to score runs, reducing the pressure on the batters.
Unfortunately, the Indian middle-order muddle is so damaging that the series is in line for the visitors in the Emerald of Isles. So if the Indian batting line-up is divided into two groups – the ones who score runs while the others are match-winners or -match-finishers. Seniors like Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli are the ones who will score runs at the top of the order, the match-winning bit has to be executed by the middle-order batters. With the like of Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube entrusted to finish games for India, where are the others like Rishabh Pant and Rinku Singh, who are match-winners-cum-finishers. Of course, Hardik Pandya is another match-winner this team has in white ball cricket and since he is being rested for the series, there are some serious questions being asked about the credibility of the current Indian middle-order batting. They are inconsistent and easily crumble under challenging match situations.
In other words, our middle-order batters are too used to flat decks of IPL. If they are made to play on a pitch that offers a little bit of swing and spin, they are all -over the place. Gone are the days when a player like Sachin Tendulkar or Rahul Dravid could adjust to the pace and bounce of the wicket in any part of the world. The muscle memory is all about handing over packed-punch on placid pitches and not on spin-friendly turfs. The 2023 World Cup final match against Australia is another big example of how India struggled on a relatively slower track.
It’s time the middle-order batters spend more time with coach Gautam Gambhir and learn the tricks of the trade before the last ODI match against Sri Lanka. After this series, India would play three ODI matches before playing the Champions Trophy in 2025. If Sri Lanka is going to be the co-host of the ICC event early next year, how will India expect to do well without sorting their spin playing ability on Lankan soil?
