Has spin bowling become India’s nemesis in T20I cricket?

Team India’s early exit in the recently-concluded T20 World Cup 2021 was nothing less than a shocker. The Men in Blue had been doing exceptionally well in the shortest international format in recent years and hence, entered the global competition as favourites. However, the inaugural-edition champions couldn’t live up to the expectations and suffered humiliating defeats against Pakistan and New Zealand. The same cost them a place in the semi-finals.

With the next T20 World Cup, which is slated to take place in Australia, being less than a year away, the Indian side must address important issues to earn redemption. Tackling spin should definitely be one of the things the Rahul Dravid-led team management should focus upon.

Has spin become a problem for Team India? 

From Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar, India have produced many great batters, who were known for their ability to dominate quality spinners. In Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the side still has some players who have embraced this challenge. However, India’s overall record hasn’t been phenomenal as far as facing spin in T20Is is concerned.

In 42 T20Is since the start of 2019, Indian batters have been averaging just 26.34 against spin. In this period, their strike rate has been 122.67 against spin, which is not daunting by any standards. Hence, it’s high time that the team management should focus on enhancing the batter’s ability to score runs against spin.

Indian batters against spin in T20Is since 2019:

As far as the players are concerned, new skipper Rohit Sharma and his predecessor Virat Kohli have done a fine job in this department. However, the latter has been pretty hesitant in taking on spin bowlers. While Kohli averages nearly 60 against spin in T20Is since 2019, his strike rate is merely 106.47. On the other hand, Rohit averages nearly 47 and his strike rate is well above 140.

Shreyas Iyer, Shikhar Dhawan, and Rishabh Pant are some other Indian T20I regulars to have blown hot and cold against spin in T20I matches. With grounds in Australia having larger dimensions, spinners would play a massive part in the next T20 World Cup. Hence, it would be interesting to see how the Men in Blue counter this challenge.

Indian batters against spin in T20Is since 2019: