The stage is set for a captivating battle of spin as India prepares to face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series commencing Thursday at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This series marks the beginning of a grueling Test season for India, with 10 matches scheduled over the next five months. But their first hurdle will be navigating a spin-bowling onslaught. Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, has emerged as a formidable spin-bowling force, with their spinners claiming 154 of the team’s 274 wickets since 2022, averaging a remarkable 30.94 runs per wicket. In contrast, India has grappled against spin during this period, losing a wicket every 60 balls and managing just 34 runs per dismissal. Intriguingly, Bangladesh’s batting average of 35.4 slightly surpasses India’s, adding another layer of intrigue to this series.
India’s batting lineup is currently in a state of flux, with several young players vying for a permanent spot. With a coveted spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final on the line, the burden falls heavily on the shoulders of India’s most seasoned batsmen – Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – to deliver under pressure. However, both Rohit and Kohli have faced challenges against spin in recent red-ball cricket. Since 2022, Kohli has mustered 447 runs against spin in Tests, averaging a respectable 37.25, while Rohit has scored 527 runs at an average of 37.64. Neither batsman has achieved a standout record against spin during this period.
Analyzing their dismissals reveals a concerning trend. Out of 24 dismissals, Kohli has been dismissed by spinners 12 times, while Rohit has fallen victim to spin on 14 occasions out of his 26 dismissals. Kohli has been trapped LBW six times, while Rohit has been caught five times and LBW on four occasions. Off-spinners have proven particularly effective against Kohli, dismissing him seven times in his last 15 innings, averaging 39.3 runs against them. Left-arm orthodox spinners have taken his wicket five times in 16 innings since 2022. Similarly, Rohit has been dismissed by both off-spinners and left-arm orthodox bowlers seven times each during the same period.
Both players are naturally aggressive batsmen, preferring to attack the ball and play shots rather than adopt a defensive approach. In the first 30 balls they face against spinners, Kohli attacks nearly 30% of deliveries, while Rohit goes after 31%. However, this aggressive approach comes with inherent risks. Since 2022, Kohli has been dismissed five times within the first 30 balls of facing spin, averaging 34. Rohit has been dismissed four times in a similar phase, averaging 40.25.
For India to gain the upper hand over Bangladesh’s spinners – Shakib Al Hasan, Taijul Islam, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz – much will depend on how Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli navigate their deliveries. The Chepauk pitch, renowned for its spin-friendly nature, will pose a significant challenge for both batsmen. Among India’s two Test venues, the other being Kanpur, Chepauk has been particularly advantageous to spinners. In 34 Test matches at the ground, spinners have averaged a wicket every 68 deliveries, conceding just 31 runs per wicket.
This series promises to be a captivating encounter, with the spotlight firmly on India’s batting stalwarts, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, as they face the formidable spin challenge posed by Bangladesh. The battle for dominance against spin will be a defining factor in shaping the outcome of this crucial series.
