IND vs NZ: Irfan Pathan Criticises India’s Spin Bowling Performance In 2nd ODI

Former India cricketer and commentator Irfan Pathan  has opened up on the spinners’ struggles against New Zealand in the second ODI in Rajkot on Wednesday. Pathan pointed out that the Indian tweakers’ lack of discipline was a decisive factor in that department despite the gap in experience.

Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav together managed only one scalp in 18 overs and conceded 126 runs. By contrast, the Black Caps duo of Jayden Lennox and Michael Bracewell gave away only 76 runs in their 20 overs by taking a couple of wickets to restrict the home side to 284. Lennox, the left-arm spinner was on debut for the record.

Irfan Pathan Critiques India’s Spinners and their Performance. 

Speaking in the recent video uploaded on his You Tube channel, Irfan Pathan felt that New Zealand read the conditions better, given how Indian captain Shubman Gill wanted to bat first had they won the toss. The 41-year-old Pathan hailed Lennox and Bracewell for keeping the opposition batters quiet despite their inexperience.

Irfan Pathan stated: “New Zealand deserve praise. The way New Zealand have played, they won the toss and opted to bowl first. By contrast, India said they would have batted first had they won the toss. New Zealand read the conditions better. They bowled well and we saw spin bowling. New Zealand spinners weren’t that experienced. Jayden Lennox was playing his first game but conceded runs at an economy rate of 4.20 per over. He barely gave anything away, keeping a fresh leash on players like Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer. Lennox bowled one of the last five overs and bowled outstandingly well.” 

Irfan Pathan further added: “Michael Bracewell doesn’t turn the ball much but bowled with discipline and conceded runs at 3.40 per over in 10 with a wicket. Bracewell also gave barely anything away, especially against the right-handers. Indian spinners were nowhere near New Zealand’s when it comes to discipline. It was a big part of India’s defeat.” 

Irfan Pathan also urged Kuldeep to revisit his bowling, pointing out that his speeds seems to have reduced. The left-arm wrist spinner leaked 82 runs in his 10 overs and took the sole wicket of Will Young.

Irfan Pathan said: “I will point out that Kuldeep Yadav’s speeds are decreasing again. Kuldeep used to bowl slow before and later showed improvement. He started bowling fast and thus turned the ball too. As a result, he got those revs too. Is he bowling slow again? Is it the reason the ball is not turning as much? Kuldeep must revisit the need to increase his speed. He is a better bowler than conceding 80 runs in 10 overs. I expect him to bowl better in the next game and will look to finish better. Ravindra Jadeja doesn’t have too many options and he struggles when conditions don’t help much. But better performances are expected of him too.” 

Kuldeep slightly struggled in the first ODI too, finishing with underwhelming figures of 1/52 in 9 overs. Although the hosts were left with a competitive 301 to chase down, they did it with four wickets to spare.

Irfan Pathan urges India to go back to the drawing board. 

Irfan Pathan also pointed out that it’s concerning for the the Men in Blue to suffer a loss to a vastly inexperienced New Zealand side. He added: “Fast bowlers didn’t have many options either when they returned, whether we talk of slower deliveries or bouncers. Overall, New Zealand, whose all players combined don’t have 10000 runs and Rohit Sharma alone has over 10000 runs, that team defeated India. India must go back to the drawing board and refine things, especially in bowling.” 

The series-decider will take place on January 18th on Sunday in Indore.

What Lies Ahead. 

So, we are all set for the decider to take place in Indore on Super Sunday with the series nicely poised at 1-1. India needs to improve their bowling by leaps and bounds especially spin bowling if they are to upstage this New Zealand side. It remains to be seen whether the spinners of India bounces back and puts in a performance and how the fast bowlers bowl as well will be interesting to see. A cracking contest awaits us all.

Let’s see how things pan out on Super Sunday.

Also Read: IND vs NZ: KL Rahul’s Classy 8th ODI Ton Helps India Recover & Post 284/7