India’s dominance on home soil has been challenged in recent times, as visiting teams have exploited the spin-friendly conditions to their advantage. In the ongoing Test series against New Zealand, the hosts found themselves on the receiving end of Mitchell Santner’s spin wizardry.
After dismissing New Zealand for 259, India’s batting lineup crumbled to a mere 156 runs, conceding a substantial 103-run lead. The dismissals of key players Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja highlighted India’s vulnerability against spin.
This is not an isolated incident. In the past, India has fallen into its own trap by preparing turning tracks for opponents. Here are some notable examples:
India vs Australia, 3rd Test, 2023, Indore:
Australia secured a nine-wicket victory on a spinning track at Indore’s Holkar Stadium. Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann exploited the conditions, bowling India out for just 109 in their first innings. Despite a fightback from India’s spinners, Lyon’s eight wickets in the second innings sealed the match for Australia.
India vs England, 1st Test, 2024, Hyderabad:
England clinched a 28-run victory at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Tom Hartley’s spin proved too much for India, who collapsed for just 202 runs in their chase. Earlier, Ollie Pope’s brilliant 196 had set India a challenging target.
India vs England, 1st Test, 2021, Chennai:
England secured a comprehensive 227-run victory in Chennai. Joe Root’s double-century helped England post a formidable 578 in their first innings. India’s batting struggled against Dom Bess and Jack Leach, who spun the hosts out for 337 and 192 runs, respectively.
These instances demonstrate that India’s reliance on spin-friendly tracks can backfire. Opponents have adapted to the conditions and exploited India’s weaknesses against spin. The team needs to find a balance between preparing pitches that favor their spinners while also ensuring that their batters can cope with the turning ball.
