IND vs SA: Irfan backs wrist spinners in overseas Test

IND vs SA: Wrist spinners in Test again? – Former India pacer Irfan Pathan wants wrist spinners to make a comeback in India’s Test squad in overseas condition. For the second time in overseas Test, Indian spinners were rendered ineffective. While Ravindra Jadeja struggled in England, R Ashwin could not replicate his success in South Africa as India lost the series 1-2. Follow India vs South Africa Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.

Irfan Pathan on Saturday said that the Virat Kohli-led Test side should look to have a wrist-spinner in the playing XI while playing Tests overseas. Pathan’s remark came a day after India lost the three-match Test series against South Africa including a 7-wicket loss in the 3rd Test in Cape Town.

“I strongly believe in having a wrist spinner in overseas conditions. Which will have a solid wicket-taking option in any condition,” tweeted Pathan.

IND vs SA: Irfan Pathan backs wrist spinners to make comeback in overseas Test after Ashwin no-show vs South Africa

Indian middle order looks like it will change, Should too. But I strongly believe in having a wrist spinner in overseas condition. Which will have a solid wicket taking option in any condition.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 15, 2022

IND vs SA: Irfan Pathan backs wrist spinners to make comeback in overseas Test after Ashwin no-show vs South Africa

Kuldeep Yadav was the last wrist-spinner to play Test in the England series at home. But it was India’s finger-spinners — Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel — who dominated the series with 50+ wickets combined in four matches.

However, in England, Ravindra Jadeja, India’s only spinner in the Playing XI, managed just 7 wickets in five matches while Ashwin scalped just three wickets in South Africa in as many matches.

Kuldeep Yadav on the other hand did well in Australia. In the only match he played, the wrist-spinner managed to scalp five wickets and Pathan believes Virat Kohli should look to use wrist-spinners in overseas conditions.

IND vs SA: Irfan Pathan backs wrist spinners to make comeback in overseas Test after Ashwin no-show

Middle-order must change – Irfan Pathan also said that India’s middle-order needs an overhaul in Test. India Test skipper Virat Kohli admitted that batting let the visitors down in the Test series against South Africa but did not directly comment on Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane’s spot in the team.

“Indian middle-order looks like it will change, Should too,” Pathan tweeted.

Pujara had scored 43 in the first innings and nine in the second essay of the final Test but Rahane failed to leave a mark in both innings as he scored nine and one in the third game. In fact, India received more in extras (136) compared to what Ajinkya Rahane (136) and Cheteshwar Pujara (124) scored in the series.

IND vs SA: Irfan Pathan backs wrist spinners to make comeback in overseas Test after Ashwin no-show

“Batting has let us down in the last two games I would say and there is no running away. I can’t sit here and talk about what could happen in the future (about Pujara and Rahane),” said Virat Kohli in the press conference.

Kohli said if any decision has to be taken on both batters’ future then it is the duty of selectors and not the captain.

IND vs SA: Irfan Pathan backs wrist spinners to make comeback in overseas Test after Ashwin no-show vs South Africa

“You probably have to speak to the selectors about what they have in mind because this is not my job. As I have said before, I would say again, we have continued to back Cheteshwar and Ajinkya because of the kind of players they are and what they have done in past in Test cricket,” said Kohli.

India had won the first Test by 113 runs but South Africa registered wins in the second and third Test to clinch the series.

IND vs SA: Irfan Pathan backs wrist spinners to make comeback in overseas Test after Ashwin no-show vs South Africa

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