England vs India 2018: Current Spinners Not Ready to Learn the Basics - Dilip Doshi

Former India left-arm spinner, Dilip Doshi stated the spinners of the modern generation are not ready to ready to develop the skills to be a master at this art.

After playing only the Lord’s Test, left-arm chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav has been sent back to India to play for India A in the quadrangular series.

India’s next tour will be to Australia later in the year, and in all likelihood, Kuldeep’s services won’t get required. Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja is yet to get a game in the ongoing five-match Test series against England. Dilip Doshi says the problem with modern spinners is their open-chested action in particular.

“One problem with modern-day cricket in India is that the crop of open-chested spinners is big. Out of 100 marks, you are playing with 60, which limits you. The truly great in the game succeeded on every pitch. This game is side on; even Virat Kohli looks over from the shoulder while batting,” he says.

Doshi further added he prefers in analyzing more than complaining. However, he did demean the current bowlers.

“Any bowler worth his salt, if the action is not side on, he can’t pivot on the foot, propelling of the ball can’t happen. It’s the curse of the modern game. Short formats will give you instant success, the cup of joy will be full. But sometimes it becomes too late to change (action). Earlier, people groomed themselves into classical bowlers.”

Dilip Doshi criticises the current system

Doshi also feels too many coaches spoil international teams. He feels a fielding coach and a masseur is acceptable, but a coach is never required. Moreover, managers are required for top quality teams. He thinks it isn’t the player’s fault altogether.

“Today we have too many people running the game, too many involved in management. There is an abundance of money, so we have positions; jobs have been created to spend the money.

“I believe there is no coach needed for international cricket. Ravi Shastri was himself a player, so he is more of a manager. Having been a successful cricketer, he knows what to say in the dressing room.

“But no great team – Don Bradman’s, Steve Waugh’s, the great West Indies teams, none had coaches. Our Indian team didn’t have one; we helped each other. At Test level, you only need managers.

“You may need a fielding coach, a masseur, but if I have to guide a player, he shouldn’t be there (in the team) at all. They should come in ready. You don’t need an analyst to tell you where to hit, or where a bowler has been hit. That makes the player lazy. What happens if the planning goes wrong?”