NEW DELHI: India’s batting vulnerabilities against spin were thoroughly exposed in the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand where the hosts succumbed to an embarrassing 3-0 whitewash.
The plan from India was to trap the Kiwis in a spin web but it backfired for Rohit Sharma and co. as the hosts’ star-studded batting line-up was found lacking technique and application while playing on the turning tracks.
While experienced Virat Kohli had a miserable series, the youngsters Shubman Gill, Sarfaraz Khan and others too looked vulnerable against the Kiwi spinners.
Playing spin has always been challenging but as India were floored by the Kiwis, former England skipper Kevin Pietersen highlighted that there is no quick remedy to mastering spin that the only way to succeed is to bat against it for long periods.
After winning the Bengaluru and Pune Tests, the Kiwis on Sunday beat India by 25 runs in a thriller in Mumbai in the third and final Test to hand India their first-ever 3-0 home whitewash.
Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel picked up 11 wickets in the match as India folded for 121 in their chase of 147 in the fourth innings.
With the defeat, Rohit registered an unwanted record as he became the first India skipper to concede a 0-3 defeat at home.
The shock series loss at home has now also dented India’s chances for a WTC Final qualification as the side slipped to second spot in the standings.
India now need to win 4 matches against Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy to make their place in the final without relying on other results.
