Stand-in captain KL Rahul delivered a stark admission on Saturday, confessing that the Indian cricket team's long-standing prowess against spin bowling has sharply declined, leaving the management searching for answers ahead of the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi.
A Concerning Pattern of Collapse
Addressing the media on the eve of the series opener, Rahul highlighted the uncomfortable pattern of repeated batting collapses on turning home tracks. "We haven't played spin well enough in the last couple of seasons," he stated bluntly. Expressing his bewilderment at the downturn, Rahul added, "I really don't know why we did it earlier and why we aren't doing it now. I don't have a definitive answer." He emphasized that the only path forward is for the batting group to collectively and individually find ways to improve.
The decline has been impossible to ignore. Recent series defeats have been directly fueled by opposition spinners exploiting this newfound weakness. New Zealand's 3-0 whitewash in 2024 and South Africa's recent 2-0 victory were both masterminded by disciplined spin attacks, led by Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, and Simon Harmer respectively. These bowlers successfully exposed an Indian batting unit that appears increasingly tentative on surfaces they once dominated.
No Quick Fix, But a Plan for Improvement
Rahul was pragmatic about the solution, acknowledging that a quick turnaround is unlikely. "It won't change overnight," he said. The plan involves a thorough analysis of required improvements with the hope of being better prepared for upcoming challenges. "We'll look at what improvements we need and hopefully by the time the Sri Lanka and Australia series come around, we'll be better prepared," Rahul explained. In a significant move, he revealed that the team "will also reach out to seniors who played spin exceptionally well" to gain from their vast experience.
The captain's own struggles against spin were thrust into the spotlight during the recent Test series. His dismissal to a sharp delivery from Proteas spinner Simon Harmer was critically analysed on live television by legend Anil Kumble. Kumble recreated Rahul's misjudged shot, a moment that was quickly clipped and shared widely, fuelling discussions among fans about the team's technical frailties.
Focus on Ranchi and Learning from Kohli
Shifting focus to the immediate task, Rahul said he expects a "good pitch for runs" in Ranchi but will assess conditions before finalizing the playing eleven. He also underlined a crucial lesson for the 50-over format, inspired by watching Virat Kohli's intense training session. "In ODIs, singles are as important as boundaries. Virat is a master at that. We all keep learning from him," Rahul noted, stressing the value of constant strike rotation.
With senior players like Rohit Sharma, Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja returning to the squad, Rahul said the dressing room atmosphere feels steadier following the Test series setback. "Having their presence and experience helps out a lot of players... Winning is the most important thing," he added. On the much-anticipated return of Rishabh Pant, Rahul remained non-committal but kept the door open, stating, "He is good enough to play as a batter," though the wicketkeeping duties remain an open question.
