• Source:JND
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IND vs SA 1st Test: The Indian Test team is currently going through one of the darkest phases and is on the verge of suffering another Test series loss in their backyard. The alarm bells were heard in Kolkata, where the host lost the first Test match against South Africa by 30 runs. What was once considered a fortress, Kolkata saw the Indian team suffering a batting collapse on a turning pitch, as it was the same place where they once dominated.

For many years, the Indian team's image of being the masters of spin was questioned. On the third day, while chasing a target of 124, the Shubman Gill-led side were caught in the web of spin, which they were expected to do so. South Africa's star spinner Simon Harmer wreaked havoc on India's batting lineup as he took eight wickets in the series opener and left the hosts clueless. He is the latest Test bowler in the list of visiting spinners who have exposed the host's weaknesses. Last year, New Zealand's Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel rattled India's batting attack and helped the visitors win a historic Test series by 3-0 in India.

The last year has given the Indian Test team a harsh reality check. Their batting, which was once considered brilliant against spinners, now looks quite fragile. Their performances are often compared to those of former cricketers. From 2013 to 2024, the host had made their backyard their fortress, where they had won 42 of 53 Test matches and had lost just four. Their dominance was dependent on two spinners in the form of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who gave the opponents a hard time during this time period.

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A SCARY POWER SHIFT

The stats have highlighted this transition. Between 2015 and March 2024, the average of the Indian spinners was quite brilliant at 21.53 at their backyard, whereas the visiting spinners had an average of 40.66. And ever since Gautam Gambhir took over the reins, things have changed quite significantly. The average of the Indian spinners is still 22.77, but what is surprising is the success of the visiting spinners; their average has gone up to 31.36, and the gap has reduced, which was once India's tactical strength.

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And what's the reason behind this? It's the host's preference for keeping extra spin-friendly pitches after the Test series against New Zealand, and this decision hasn't worked in their favour. By making pitches that begin turning from the first day itself, they have unintentionally helped the opponents, who come prepared with their plans and are fearless and brilliant with their spin skills. Instead of trying to dominate their opponents, the hosts are themselves trapped in such conditions that no longer work in their favour.

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