The possibility of success is much higher for Indian spinners on two-paced tracks offering decent turn, with the ball gripping on the surface. And when the attack comprises three different kinds of tweakers, it adds another dimension to the attack.
There’s no guarantee whether Team India will be getting pitches similar to that of the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, where they tightened the noose over Australia with their spin attack first before Virat Kohli and KL Rahul batted admirably to help them to a six-wicket win in their World Cup campaign opener on Sunday.
However, the variety that left-armer Ravindra Jadeja, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and chinaman Kuldeep Yadav bring to the table while featuring together in the XI may help India make life difficult for rival batters even on surfaces which would not assist tweakers as much.
Ashwin’s carrom ball, straighter one and other variations, alongside his ability to vary the bounce, keep him in good stead though Sunday’s game was only his third ODI appearance in almost 22 months. Jadeja’s accuracy and the sharp, fast turn he can obtain are his strengths.
Kuldeep’s obvious plus point is his ability to turn it the other way, but the wrist spinner can also spin it fast, something he did to castle Glenn Maxwell at a critical phase in Chennai.
In other words, India’s spin attack for the World Cup has depth in its variety to bamboozle oppositions.
“In a team combination, you want variety. I think for us, all three of the spinners offer different kinds of options and varieties,” India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey said after the win on Sunday.
“All three of them have the ability, like Jadeja and Ash are options you can use in the first Powerplay and middle, and also when required at any other stages of the game. Kuldeep is also another option we can use.
“In that sense, they offer a lot of variations for us and options for the captain, which is crucial during matches,” Mhambrey explained.
In other formats too, particularly in Test cricket, the spin trio have combined well to rattle the opposition. In fact, it was Australia who were at the receiving end in March 2017 when Jadeja, Ashwin and Kuldeep (on debut) spun India to a convincing Test win in Dharamsala, which had also secured them the series.
That’s the spirit
It is one thing to have talented players in a group, but it is a completely different challenge to make them work together, for a common goal. Here, the fact that India’s spin troika enjoy each other’s success is a big plus.
“Yeah, three quality spinners on such a wicket makes life difficult for opposition batsmen,” Kuldeep said after scalping Australia.
“The bonding among the three of us is great. Obviously, Jaddu and Ash are regular Test players, but I too have spent quite some time with them. Not necessarily we have to share ideas or stuff with each other, but this understanding is what matters,” Kuldeep emphasised.
Talking about their mindset when bowling, Kuldeep stated: “Our mindset is to keep thinking about how we can take more wickets. The start too matters... how our pacers do in the Powerplay.”
