Steady Decline In India's Quality Of Spin-Bowling In 50-Over Cricket Alarming: VVS Laxman

Former Indian middle-order batsman VVS Laxman has expressed concerns about the decline in the spin-bowling quality in India’s ranks. The recent white-ball series against England at home saw India’s spin-bowling unit make limited or no impact as the hosts had to rely on the pace bowling department for getting breakthroughs. VVS Laxman seems particularly concerned by Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.

Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav had performed admirably well in the middle-overs for ODIs in India since they started bowling together in 2017. Not only did they delivered economical overs, but they also picked wickets frequently. As for the recent home series against England, Chahal lost his place midway in the T20Is, while Kuldeep Yadav played the first two ODIs and went wicketless.

VVS Laxman underlined that with three World Cups looming in the next two and a half years, there is always a requirement for a sixth bowling option. The 46-year old highlighted he is particularly bothered by how the quality has declined in the 50-over format, which could brutally expose the lack of skillsets in any spinner.

“With three World Cups lined up over the next two and a half years, there is a pressing need to ensure the presence of a sixth bowling option at all times. More alarming is the steady decline in the quality of spin bowling in the 50-over format, specifically. Lack of skillsets will be exposed more damningly in this variant,” Laxman said as quoted by Times of India.

VVS Laxman calls for the introduction of new and quality spinners, keeping in mind the 2023 World Cup:

VVS Laxman opined that both Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have become unreliable and failed to deliver consistent performances. The 134-Test veteran stated that with the 2023 World Cup a couple of years away, the think-tank must identify candidates capable of taking wickets in the middle-overs and give them enough time to grow into their roles before the mega event at home.

“Yuzvendra Chahal seems to have lost the confidence of the team management and Kuldeep Yadav has been out of sorts for a while. With the 50-over World Cup more than two years away, it is imperative that the net is cast far and wide and personnel capable of taking wickets in the middle overs identified and persisted with so that they grow into their roles by the time of the mega event,” he added.

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