Sanjay Manjrekar Highlights India's Batting Struggles Against Spin

As India heads into the third and final Test match against New Zealand in Mumbai, with the series already lost 2-0, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has drawn attention to a critical weakness in India's batting lineup, particularly against spin. This comes after a first innings where only a handful of players performed under pressure.

India’s First Innings Review

In their response to New Zealand's total of 235 runs, India managed to score 263, gaining a narrow first innings lead of 28 runs. However, the performance of the main batters left much to be desired. Shubman Gill played a resilient knock of 90 runs, while Rishabh Pant contributed with 60, and Washington Sundar chipped in lower down the order. Conversely, notable players like Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja, and Sarfaraz Khan failed to make significant contributions, raising concerns about their form and approach against the visiting spinners.

Manjrekar’s Critique on Batting Technique

Taking to social media, Manjrekar shared his insights on the batting issues, emphasizing the need for Indian batters to adapt their technique against spin. He suggested that the batting coach should focus on teaching players the art of playing back foot shots against spinners, which he believes would enhance their survival and scoring ability. “Barring Pant, all main batters got out to spin while on front foot,” he tweeted, highlighting that many of them were dismissed while committing to the front foot against spin bowling.

The statistics from the innings reflected his concerns, with Ajaz Patel claiming five wickets, effectively dismantling India's batting order. Gill, while attempting to play Patel on the front foot, edged the ball to slip, missing out on a century. Similarly, Jadeja and Ashwin also fell victim to the same strategy, being dismissed after edging deliveries while advancing towards the spinner.

The Way Forward for Indian Batters

Manjrekar's comments point to a broader issue in India's approach to spin bowling, especially in home conditions where such skills are critical for success. With the series on the line, the pressure is mounting for the Indian players to improve their technique and adapt to the challenges posed by quality spin bowlers. As the team gears up for the final Test, focusing on these aspects could be vital for restoring their pride and potentially salvaging a victory against New Zealand.