India's dominance in Test cricket at home has been unquestionable for years. However, since 2021, there has been a noticeable decline in the performance of their batters, especially against spin bowling.
Once known for their strength in tackling spin on home soil, Indian batters have struggled to maintain the same high standards in recent years.
The decline is particularly evident when comparing their recent performances to the period from 2016 to 2020, and from then onwards.
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How have Indian batters performed against spin in Tests at home?
Between 2016 and 2020, India’s top seven batters averaged 63.36 against spin. Since 2021, this average has dropped to 37.56, a fall of almost 41%. During the earlier period, batters like Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara excelled against spin.
Kohli, for example, scored 1342 runs at 13 dismissals, but since 2021, he has managed only 454 runs while being dismissed 15 times to spinners. Pujara’s numbers have also plummeted, dropping from 1128 runs to just 277 runs in the same span, which also coincided with calls for his exclusion from the team.
Let's take a look India's overall record against spin and pace over this time.
| vs Pace | vs Spin | |||
| Period | Dismissals | Ave | Dismissals | Ave |
| 2016-2020 | 108 | 47.36 | 110 | 63.36 |
| 2021 onwards | 44 | 45.79 | 134 | 64.4 |
(Stats credit: ESPN Cricinfo)
Indian batters' record against spin in Tests in India since 2021
Let's take a look at how Indian batsmen have performed against spin at home since 2021 in Tests. Barring Jaiswal, Pant and Gill, a majority of the batsmen average under 40.
| Batter | Innings | Dismissals | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Y Jaiswal | 8 | 5 | 115.00 |
| R Pant | 9 | 5 | 70.80 |
| Shubman Gill | 18 | 11 | 51.0 |
| Axar Patel | 19 | 11 | 44.80 |
| Rohit Sharma | 22 | 16 | 44.13 |
| R Jadeja | 15 | 11 | 34.80 |
| Shreyas Iyer | 15 | 12 | 33.08 |
| V Kohli | 17 | 15 | 30.26 |
| KL Rahul | 5 | 5 | 23.40 |
| C Pujara | 16 | 13 | 21.0 |
| A Rahane | 7 | 5 | 19.40 |
| RM Patidar | 6 | 6 | 7.50 |
Reasons behind struggle against spin - what has changed for Indian batters?
Several reasons may explain the dip in Indian batters' performance. One key factor is the improved quality of spin bowling from visiting teams.
Spinners from Australia, England, and New Zealand have taken advantage of Indian conditions in recent years. Since 2021, 11 overseas spinners have claimed eight or more wickets in India, with some averaging under 30 runs per wicket, an improvement compared to the previous period.
Additionally, with the increasing participation of star foreign players in India during the Indian Premier League (IPL) has helped them understand and adapt to the spin-friendly and challenging conditions.
Despite that, the inability of Indian batters to counter such a threat with their technique will be a growing concern for the current and future team managements.
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Can India’s batters regain their form against spin?
Amid challenges, there is hope for India. Young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill have shown promise.
Jaiswal has already scored two double centuries, and Gill has averaged over 50 in his recent home matches. If experienced players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma can find their form again, India may return to their dominant ways in upcoming Tests at home against Bangladesh and New Zealand.
The two upcoming home Tests series in particular will be crucial for India as they look to rediscover their batting strength against spin bowling, while also retaining their top spot in the World Test Championship standings.
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