"Unless you play domestic cricket...": Dilip Vengsarkar warns Indian batters amid spin struggles

The Indian cricket team’s embarrassing home Test series defeat to New Zealand has sparked outrage among the fans and former cricketers, questioning the once-impenetrable resilience of the batters against spin.

Indian batters badly failed against the New Zealand spinners at home. The Indian cricket team has suffered a rare and shocking Test series defeat at home, as New Zealand clinched the ongoing three-match Test series with a 113-run win in the second Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on October 26.

Indian Cricket Team faces backlash following embarrassing home Test series loss to New Zealand

With their 2-0 victory, the New Zealand cricket team have officially ended India’s 12-year unbeaten streak at home in Test cricket, during which they won 18 series on the trot. Well, the ongoing three-match Test series against New Zealand has exposed the Indian batter’s weakness against the spinners on the turning surfaces.

The Indian cricket team was once celebrated for their mastery against the world’s top spinners, with even legends like Shane Warne failing to unsettle the top order, but the current batting lineup looks shockingly vulnerable, now crumbling against New Zealand’s quality spin on their own turf.

New Zealand’s left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner tore through the Indian batting lineup, taking a remarkable 13-wicket haul and helping the Kiwis to record a resounding 113-run victory within just three days in the Pune Test. It was a reminder of India’s 2017 Pune collapse against Australia when Steve O’Keefe's 12-wicket haul saw India dismissed for 105 and 107.

Dilip Vengsarkar blames lack of domestic cricket time for Indian batters' downfall

Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team’s dramatic home Test series defeat is sparking criticism from former cricketers, with many pointing fingers at the lack of domestic game time among the top players as a big reason behind such a collapse.

Dilip Vengsarkar, former Indian captain and former chief selector, said that it is very important to play in domestic cricket to truly excel at playing spin bowlers. Dilip Vengsarkar further mentioned that it is not just about performing on turning pitches, but it's crucial to develop a solid technique against spin.

Therefore, it's crucial for players to prioritize domestic cricket to avoid such a batting collapse against New Zealand. Furthermore, when Under-19 and India A tours coincide with international fixtures, it undermines the significance of domestic cricket, according to Vengsarkar. He feels Indian cricket team players must play domestic cricket to improve their game against spin.

Unless you play domestic cricket, you'll not master the skills of playing spinners: Dilip Vengsarkar

Dilip Vengsarkar was quoted as saying by the Times of India, “Unless you play domestic cricket, you'll not master the skills of playing spinners. I'm not talking about just playing on turning tracks but also playing spin well. This is why it's important that everyone be available to play domestic cricket. Also, when you have these Under-19 and India A tours on, at a time when international cricket is happening, it dilutes the importance of domestic cricket.”

Dilip Vengsarkar signed off by praising New Zealand: “It's an historic and well-deserved win for the Kiwis. What's important is that they knew what's expected of them to win the series in India, and they came here very well-prepared as they outclassed India.”