India brace for South Africa’s spinners in opening Test at Eden Gardens
India face South Africa in the opening Test at Eden Gardens, wary of the visitors’ potent spin attack led by Maharaj and Harmer. Memories of last year’s collapse against New Zealand spinners linger as Shubman Gill’s side seeks redemption
Kolkata: India’s strong batting depth will face a stern test against South Africa’s quality spin attack when the two well-matched sides clash in the opening Test of the two-match series beginning here on Friday.
India will be haunted by the memories of last year’s home debacle against New Zealand, when their record was shattered by Kiwi spinners Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips, who shared 36 wickets across three Tests, leading to a 0-3 whitewash.
Given South Africa’s heavy reliance on spin right now, that collapse against sustained pressure will linger in the memory of the home side.
The reigning World Test champions are historically known for fiery pacers but are currently armed with one of the most potent spin groups in world cricket.
The Proteas arrive on the back of a morale-boosting 1-1 draw in Pakistan, achieved without captain Temba Bavuma. Their spin trio of Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy accounted for 35 of the 39 wickets in the series, outperforming Pakistan’s slow bowlers who managed 27 collectively.
India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate described the rival bowling line-up as a “subcontinent-style attack.”
“They have four spinners at their disposal, and most likely they will play three. It is a little bit like playing against a subcontinent team,” he said. “We have addressed that early on. Hopefully, we have learned from the New Zealand series.”
Harmer, now 36 and holder of 1,000 first-class wickets, is no stranger to Indian conditions. On the 2015 tour under Hashim Amla, he featured in two Tests and claimed scalps such as Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma and Wriddhiman Saha. A decade later, he remains as wily, arriving in Kolkata after an eight-wicket haul in Rawalpindi last month.
His control, drift and subtle changes of pace make him an ideal foil for Maharaj, one of the most accurate and attacking spinners in modern cricket.
The Eden Gardens pitch has therefore become the most-watched element of this contest. While batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and captain Shubman Gill have made multiple inspections, CAB president Sourav Ganguly has assured that it “won’t be a rank-turner.”
That will please Jasprit Bumrah, who could be India’s key bowler on a surface that offers early movement and late reverse swing. India are likely to go with two pacers, with local player Akash Deep expected to have the edge given his knowledge of conditions.
Over the last 15 years, pacers have taken 61 per cent (97 of 159 wickets) in Tests here, with seam and swing playing a major role.
While a young Indian side under Gill’s debut captaincy drew 2-2 in England this summer, the New Zealand debacle at home continues to rankle. The subsequent 2-0 win against a weak West Indies side did little to test India’s revival.
For India, the focus will be on application and patience against spin. With Rishabh Pant fit again and Dhruv Jurel set to play as a specialist batter, the middle order looks more stable. Washington Sundar, who topped India’s spin charts in that New Zealand series with 16 wickets, adds depth with bat and ball.
Ten Doeschate underlined the mental readiness required after a tough schedule. “You have to switch on mentally and be ready for 16–17 days of really tough work. The body will take care of itself – the mind has to be ready.”
Given it is only a two-match series, the margin for error is slim. Falling behind early could prove costly, especially with unfamiliar conditions awaiting in Guwahati, which will host its first-ever Test.
For India, batting big and putting the opposition under scoreboard pressure will be the key to exorcising the ghosts of last year’s collapse.
Teams (from): India: Shubman Gill (Capt), KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (WK and VC), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Devdutt Padikkal. South Africa: Temba Bavuma (Capt), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Dewald Brevis, Zubayr Hamza, Tony de Zorzi, Corbin Bosch, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Simon Harmer. Match starts: 9.30 am.
