Current spinners are scared of getting hit.
Former Indian left-arm spinner Murali Kartik has made a shocking statement on Friday, November 22, saying the traditional style of spin bowling in India is slowly dying while expressing concern over the drop in the quality of spinners.
Speaking to media at the launch of 'Wizards - The Story of Indian Spin Bowling' by author Anindya Dutta, Kartik said he is disappointed with the absence of an old-fashioned spinner – who can outfox a batsman in the air or with turn in the country, saying the coffer is ‘literally bare’.
He further added that the spinners were taught how to deceive a batsman in flight during his time but now Indian cricket has changed a lot.
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Kartik said, “We still want a (Muttiah) Muralitharan, a (Shane) Warne or a Daniel Vettori who can beat the batsmen in the air and be aggressive in their own way. That is missing right now.”
The 43-year-old further explained, “There was a time when many spinners failed to get selected in their respective state teams as there was tough competition. But, now the Indian spin bowling coffer is literally bare, by which I mean old-fashioned spinners.
There are some who can dart the ball but a spinner is someone who spins. Nowadays, one can stand and deposit a bowler right behind his head. I feel the drop in quality. We were taught that we had to outfox batsmen in the flight or get hit. Our escape route was not to push fielders at long-on or long-off and get a catch. From 2011 to 2014, Indian cricket changed after we lost 0-4, 0-4 to Australia and England. We got wickets on pitches that were conducive for seamers.”
Meanwhile, former international also has a piece of advice for the wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, suggesting: “There are certain technical things for Kuldeep Yadav to do. He should not increase the pace as it would be counterproductive for him.”
On the other hand, former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Deep Dasgupta agreed with Kartik, saying: “I can understand that with the advent of T20 cricket, a lot has changed but the basics cannot change. This generation of spinners is more scared of getting hit.”
Dasgupta signed off by saying, “Rarely would someone say I will get the batsman out at slip or silly point. That is a paradigm shift in the mindset of spinners.”
(With PTI Inputs)