This is why we struggle overseas

[mancalledsting]

Averages For Fingerspinners And Offspinners By Host Country, From Dec 2002

Host	Fingerspin - Wkts	Ave	Offspin - Wkts	Ave
Australia	420	46.59	277	46.83
South Africa	316	43.51	141	47.78
New Zealand	344	39.09	150	36.99
England	606	35.84	368	34.16
West Indies	520	35.78	361	33.73
UAE	333	35.05	168	37.36
Bangladesh	684	34.52	284	34.88
India	1018	32.14	638	32.57
Sri Lanka	1086	31.08	658	30.47

 

Finger spin bowling is clearly the go to bowling option in home test matches and our attacks tend to be built around our finger spinners. Sadly, this very policy will yield the lowest returns in the crucial Aus/SA/NZ/Eng tours. It is therefore very clear as to why VK has tactically decided to end this over reliance on finger spinners and even prefer pacers in crucial test match moments (in preference to spinners). 2 instances come to mind when Indian commentators heavily criticised Virat for pacers over spinners approach i) in Chennai 2016 vs England when VK decided to bowl pacers with the new as well as spinners to the England tail- but Umesh then ended up with the crucial wicket of Adil Rashid ii) In first test of current series vs Lanka, Virat was criticised for under bowling his spinners by many fans and Indian experts. It takes brave person to go against the grain but the above table vindicates VK in his decision to drag Indian cricket out of the dark ages (even if by the scruff of the neck) into the new frontier of pace bowling stocks. Clive Lloyd/Imran Khan always knew the utility value of pace bowling and hence because of them WI/Pak underwent their fast bowling revolution. I'm hoping Kohli creates a similar revolution in Indian cricket. Imagine India with amazing fast bowling, we'd be unstoppable. 

Edited December 1, 2017 by mancalledsting
added content

[Laaloo]

In his short time as a skipper, Virat has definitely shown that he will back pace bowlers. And most likely due to this, it will pay dividends on our overseas tours. 

[MechEng]

Kohli is definitely the fast bowler's captain, I sometimes believe he's even more attacking than Ganguly. 

 

I remember how Dickwella tried to irritate our bowlers and Shami was so pissed that he was nearly about to beat him up physically, the best part was that instead of cooling down Shami, Kohli supported him and also intimidated Dickwella as well. He's very protective about his fast bowler's morale.

[Silva]

This is why i feel that pandya should play along with 3 other pacers to minimize the amount of overs ahswin or jadeja bowl. 

 

The only place in SA that is good for spinners is kingsmead and their isnt going to be any test matches their. 

[sarcastic]

1 hour ago, Silva said:

This is why i feel that pandya should play along with 3 other pacers to minimize the amount of overs ahswin or jadeja bowl. 

 

The only place in SA that is good for spinners is kingsmead and their isnt going to be any test matches their. 

+1

 

If Pandya is part of the playing XI, he should be apart from 3 main pace bowlers. Please do not count Pandya as a 3rd seam bowler in overseas conditions.>>> he is still not that good.