Kohli’s team India shattered India’s prestige against spin bowling in Pune, says Ian Chappell

Legendary Australian captain turned commentator Ian Chappell has lashed out India for failing against Australia’s spin attack at Pune. Chappell, in a column for Mid-Day, wrote: “For many years it’s been accepted that Indian batsmen play spin bowling better than most. On the evidence of Pune that is now a myth.”

India in the first-Test of the four-match series in Pune were bowled out for 105 and 107 in both of the innings as left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe claimed 12 wickets conceding 70 runs. The hosts suffered an unexpected 333 runs defeat to Australia.

Virat Kohli lead Indian boys failed to justify their reputation against spin bowling, even though Indians have been traditionally good against the turning ball. But, shattering this history India, at his own home, succumbed to O’Keefe’s finger tweak.

Chappell has blamed India’s poor shot selection for this disaster. The hosts, who were unbeaten in 19 matches, failed to win the Pune Test because they relied on the ultra-aggressive shots instead of opting for calculated aggression.

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Talking about the batting technique on a square turner, Chappell said, “A crucial part of batting under Pune type conditions is knowing what is possible against each bowler and just as importantly, what will be the most dangerous shots. Armed with that knowledge batsmen should then try to keep the percentages slightly in their favour when deciding which shots to play.”

In the first innings, Indian team suffered a big disaster as opener KL Rahul was trying to play a big shot and perished to tickle the downfall. Chappell criticizing Rahul said that the right-handed batsman, who scored 64, was relying on lofted shot when the ball was coming late to his bat. Rahul’s unwise shot selection coast India heavily as the hosts lost seven wickets for 11 runs in the first innings.

Meanwhile, Chappell is also not happy with No. 1 Test team’s fielding technique. India dropped a couple of important catches, especially Australian captain Steve Smith was dropped thrice in the second innings. Smith taking benefit of the situation went on to score his maiden hundred in India.

“Their fielding needed to be brilliant in Australia’s second innings. Instead, it was abysmal and Australia raced away with the match. Any fielder can drop a catch but it was the lack of anticipation and faulty technique that seemed so out of place in catching positions where India once used to excel,” Chappell stated.

He also said that if India’s best ever close-in fielder Eknath Solkar was alive today he would have blasted Indian fielders for their fielding position and technique. Chappell has praised India’s overall fielding for which he credited Indian Premier League (IPL). At the same time mentioned that, for the same reason, India’s close-in fielding is declining.

However, he is positive about India’s comeback in the series, with the second Test in Bengaluru.

Written by Sudipto Biswas