Aakash Chopra and Yashasvi Jaiswal. (Source – Getty Images)
Aakash Chopra highlighted India’s shortcomings on spin-friendly tracks in home conditions after Rohit Sharma’s men suffered a humiliating 0-3 defeat in the three-match Test series against New Zealand on Sunday, November 3.
The Kiwis became the first team since England (2012) to defeat India at home in a Test series. The Indian batters looked all at sea in the second and third Tests as left-arm spinners Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel gave them nightmares. Santner bagged 13 wickets in the second Test in Pune, while Ajaz accounted for 11 in the third in Mumbai.
Former India opener Chopra feels that the Indian batters can only play spin on flat tracks. He also said that the Indian spinners fare better than their counterparts on flat tracks because of their quality.
“Now it feels like we should admit that we can’t play spin. Let’s be very, very honest, let’s not beat around the bush. On flat tracks we can (play spin), but everybody can on a flat track. The only difference is that we play spin better than other teams on flat tracks and bowl better as well because our spinners have quality,” said Chopra on his Youtube channel.
We are trying to find a shot when it’s not there: Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator feels that the Indian batters are not confident while facing the spinners and there is no real control over the shots they play. Chopra also criticised them for trying to attempt shots that don’t come naturally to them.
“Neither we have confidence in spin, nor we have control on our shots. We are trying to find a shot when it’s not there, trying sweeps, practicing it before the start of play every morning. But it’s like learning a new language, my friend. If you don’t know a language, it takes a lot of time to learn it,” Chopra stated.
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The series defeat saw India dropping to No. 2 in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings after a long time. Australia are placed at the top of the table and will face India in a high-voltage five-match Test series, starting November 22, with important WTC points up for grabs.