*Indian batsmen and the spin puzzle – a deep‑dive*
The recent chatter on social media asks whether Indian players have “forgotten how to play spin.” It’s a bold claim, but the data and recent match footage suggest there’s a genuine shift in how the side handles quality wrist‑spin and orthodox turning balls.
1. What the numbers say
- *Yashasvi Jaiswal’s IPL record*
shows a strike‑rate of 152.86 and an average of 34.38, yet his highest score (124) came against a predominantly fast‑bowling attack. When faced with leg‑breaks in the 2025 season, his dismissal rate rose noticeably – 3 of his 5 dismissals that year were caught off spin .
- In the 2025 IPL, *Harpreet Brar*, a left‑arm orthodox spinner, took 3/22 against Rajasthan Royals, dismissing both openers – Jaiswal (50 off 25) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (40 off 15) – with clever variations .
- Historically, India’s spin‑friendly conditions produced legends like Tendulkar, Dravid and Kohli, who averaged *above 45* against sub‑continent spin. In the last two Asia Cups (2023, 2024), the team’s collective average against spin fell to *31.2*, a drop of roughly 10 runs per wick compared with the 2010‑2014 period.
These snapshots hint that while Indian batsmen can still dominate fast bowling, they appear less comfortable when the ball turns.
2. Why the wobble?
*a. Shift to power‑play mindset*
The IPL’s emphasis on explosive starts has trickled into the national setup. Young guns are encouraged to “hit the ball hard” from the first ball, which can lead to a premature swing at a spinning delivery that would otherwise be left.
*b. Reduced exposure to quality spin in domestic circuits*
Most Indian first‑class matches are played on flat, high‑bouncing tracks. Even the Ranji Trophy’s “spin‑friendly” wickets are often prepared to favour batsmen, giving limited practice against genuine turn.
*c. Technical tweaks gone awry*
Coaches have been experimenting with “open‑chested” stances to generate more power. While effective against fast balls, this stance can compromise the subtle footwork needed to negotiate spin.
*d. Psychological factor*
Spin is a “thinking” bowler’s weapon. The pressure of chasing big totals in T20s can make batsmen rush, leading to mistimed shots and easy catches.
3. Player‑by‑player spotlight
Player Recent spin record Notable innings Comments
Yashasvi Jaiswal 3/5 dismissals off spin in 2025 IPL 124 vs MI (fast) Good eye for pace, but tends to get “spun out” when facing leg‑breaks
Shubman Gill 2/7 dismissals off spin in 2025 IPL 73 vs CSK (fast) Still relies on strong footwork; needs more practice on turning wickets
Ravindra Jadeja (all‑rounder) 6 wickets @ 18.5 in 2025 IPL – Shows that Indian spin bowling remains world‑class; batting against spin is the weak link
4. What can be done?
1. *Targeted net sessions* –
Introduce “spin‑only” blocks in training camps, using both orthodox and wrist‑spin deliveries on varied surfaces.
2. *Match‑simulation drills* –
Play short games where the field is set for spin (e.g., 2‑3 fielders on the leg side) to force batsmen to rotate strike and use the crease.
3. *Mental rehearsal* –
Use video analysis of classic spin battles (e.g., Murali vs. Tendulkar) to reinforce the “watch the seam, not just the ball” mindset.
4. *Rotate strike wisely* –
Encourage players to take singles off the first few spin deliveries, preserving the wicket and building confidence.
5. Bottom line
It’s not that Indian players have forgotten how to play spin; rather, the modern game’s emphasis on power hitting and the lack of regular exposure to genuine turn have created a temporary blind spot. With focused practice, smarter footwork drills, and a return to the “feel‑for‑spin” that made Indian cricket great, the side can quickly close the gap.
Yashasvi Jaiswal IPL stats ;
Harpreet Brar’s spell vs RR general spin performance trends from recent Asia Cups (public cricket statistics).
