Team India’s recent Test series loss to New Zealand has sparked a wave of criticism, with former South Africa captain AB de Villiers weighing in on the matter. De Villiers believes that the perception of Indian players as exceptional spin players is outdated and that other teams have caught up.
In the second Test, New Zealand’s left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner exploited the Indian batters’ weaknesses on a turning Pune track, taking 13 wickets in the match and handing India a 113-run defeat. This marked India’s first Test series loss at home since 2012.
De Villiers suggests that the belief in Indian players’ spin prowess is a perception rather than a fact. He emphasizes that even the best batters can struggle against quality spin bowling on turning wickets. However, he also acknowledges the talent of Indian players, stating that they are “incredible players” who can play spin.
De Villiers believes that India took a significant risk by preparing a turning track, which played into New Zealand’s hands. He notes that New Zealand’s bowlers, including part-timer Glenn Phillips, were able to exploit the conditions effectively.
“They lost the toss in the second Test. I think they took a big risk by really making sure that the wicket turns a lot from start to finish,” said de Villiers. “With that, when you play against a street-smart team, guys like Glenn Phillips, no one thought of him as a spinner, but fiery spin right at the wickets quick, doesn’t matter if you are a part-time spinner, you are in the match.”
De Villiers concludes that India’s loss highlights the need for teams to adapt to different conditions and that the perception of Indian players as invincible spin players is no longer valid.
