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Former India spinner Maninder Singh feels that slow reflexes of the senior members in the famed Indian batting line-up has made their footwork circumspect.
“The reflexes of most of the Indian batting stalwarts have slowed down with age and constant injuries. When you are facing a good spinner, you will certainly have problems if you have slow reflexes,” Maninder said.
“Apart from Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman, no one looked assured in their footwork against spinners,” he added.
During the opening Test against Sri Lanka at Colombo, Indian batsmen have struggled to pick up the line and length of spin duo of Muttiah Muralitharan and mystery bowler Ajantha Mendis, resulting in a humiliating defeat by an innings and 239 runs.
Airing similar views, member of 1983 World Cup winning side, Madan Lal said lack of outings at the domestic circuit was another reason behind Indian batsman’s unassured footwork.
“Indians have always been accustomed to playing spinners in domestic cricket for long hours, but now they hardly get any time to play at home,” he pointed out.
However, former India coach Anshuman Gaekwad begs to differ as according to him the writing was on the wall following the kind of wickets that was on offer of late.
"The wickets that are being prepared have been either very slow or very flat. Or else we have rank turners that are not fit for the game. This does not help the Indian batsmen in any way," he said.
He also adds that complacency was another factor which is behind their recent struggle. "Once the batsmen have seen off the fast bowlers, they feel they are free to relax against spinners. This leads to their down-fall.
"The batsmen have to start respecting slow bowlers and stop being half-corked in their approach. They have to be fully committed in their foot-work, either they play completely forward or on the back-foot." said Gaekwad.
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