'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#1 Spinners need to step up
The traditional strength of Indian cricket has always been spin -- whether it be batsman dominating opposition spinner or Indian spinners running through the opponent's batting order. However, off late the tables seem to have turned. Currently, the Indian fans feel more confident about their pace than the spinners and for good reason. The current crop of pacers is arguably India best ever attack as they showed in South Africa and England.
However, Australian pitches are unlikely to provide the pacers with the same support as the ones in England and South Africa. The tour to Australia will test their patience as wickets will not come easy. It will be very important for the Indian pacers to show consistency with their line and lengths or they will surely be made to pay.
What is crucial in these conditions is for the spinners to step up their game, something that has not happened in recent tours. In both South Africa and England, Ravichandran Ashwin was India's first choice spinner.
While he got a few wickets, he let the team down on vital times. Both the second innings at Centurion and Southampton had perfect conditions for a spinner to exploit but Ashwin only took one wicket each. Such opportunities are likely to open multiple times in Australia and India cannot afford their spinners to let them down again.
Both Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are viable options on the bench for India. Jadeja's Test record at home is better than Ashwin's impeccable record with an average of 20. His left arm spin will be more useful on tracks that do not have a lot of turn in them.
On the other hand, Kuldeep's variation is something teams have found it hard to pick in limited-overs cricket. On the large Australian grounds, a wrist spinner is a captain's dream. There is no reason for Ashwin to be a guaranteed starter in Australia and Virat Kohli should give his choice of spinner a long and hard thought as they are capable of making a huge difference. Playing two spinners is also an idea India should not shy away from especially because all three are capable with the bat.
