New Delhi: Dealing with spinners on sub-continental tracks has always been a headache for overseas batsmen.
But in the recent past, Indian batsmen, who used to be known as one of the best players of spin bowling, have struggled to keep the reputation intact.
From Michael Clarke to Moeen Ali to Nathan Lyon to Rangana Herath all spinners have trouble Indian batsmen regardless of the conditions, in last half decade.
In the first Test against South Africa in Mohali, Indian batsmen once again looked vulnerable against spin trio of Simon Harmer, Dean Elgar and Imran Tahir.
Surprisingly, part-timer Elgar wrecked havoc in the opposition camp as he ran through the Indian batting-line up in their first innings and ended up with astonishing figures of 8-232-4.
In their 2nd innings too, hosts gave four wickets to virtually unknown Harmar. And premier spinner Tahir too scalped four-wickets to reduce India to a paltry total of 200.
In the entire match, Team India gave 15 wickets to spinners and couldn't mange to score a decent total in both the innings.
Many cricket pundits pointed out that Indian batsmen looked quite defensive against spinners and ended up giving a catch to close-in fielders.
In fact, Test skipper Virat Kohli and discarded opener Gautam Gambhir raised the same issue.
Hopefully, in the remaining matches of the on-going series, Indian batsmen will play spinners with more positive mind-set and use their footwork more frequently to negotiate the spinners better.
