5 left-handers in top 8: Breaking down India's unusual strategy to counter SA's prime threat

Gambhir-Gil tactical masterclass [Source: @Cricbuzz]

India have started their second home Test series of the summer against the reigning defending WTC champions, South Africa at the Eden Gardens. The series provides a great chance for India to stamp their authority and seal the top spot in the WTC points table as every point is crucial.

On an Eden Gardens surface that might assist the spinners as the game progresses, India have fielded 4 spinners and for the first time in their Test history, the side has gone in with five left-handed batters in the side.

This decision raised an eyebrow, but this Indian lineup speaks about their tactical masterclass and there is a key reason why Gautam Gambhir has fielded five lefties against this South African bowling attack.

India's top 8 vs South Africa

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel

The Maharaj factor prompts India to field five lefties

As the match progresses towards Day 3, 4, and 5, spinners could come into play and South Africa has one of the best in the business in their side - Keshav Maharaj. The wily spinner recently ran through the Pakistan batters in the second Test match, and the fear factor has prompted India to field five-lefties which could work in their favour.

The lefties will have an advantage over Maharaj, as the stock delivery from a left-arm spinner, will make it easier for them to hit, particularly when the ball comes into them. Hence, the likes of Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav (to some extent) are playing in the side.

Indian batters numbers against left-arm spinners

(Indian lefties against left-arm spinners)

• As the stats say, every Indian left-handed batter in the lineup has a stellar record against left-arm spinners and this is why they might come in handy against Keshav Maharaj, who will drift the ball back into them.
• Of all the batters, Rishabh Pant has the best record as he loves to take down the spin bowlers. Against left-armers, he has racked up 540 runs in just 422 balls, with an average of 77.1 and this is what India needs to counter one of the best spinners in Test cricket at the moment.

South Africa's Plan B to counter Indian batters

If India has their plan set against Maharaj, then the Proteas team also has their plan B ready to counter the Indian batters - Simon Harmer. While left-handed batters love to play against left-arm spinners, they tend to despise playing against right-arm off-break bowlers. The reason is that the ball drifts away from them, making stroke-play difficult.

Harmer, just like Maharaj, did well against Pakistan, and he would lick his lips while watching five Indian left-handed batters in the opposition. If he could get his lines and lengths right, the off-break bowler could cause trouble with his natural away-going ball.

Conclusion

India have used their tactical minds to perfection, as the threat of Keshav Maharaj was serious. To counter him, the team has played five left-handed batters, which could make their life easy against him.

However, the Proteas are also ready with their plan B - Simon Harmer, but India’s flexible approach has shown that they are reading the opponents carefully and have come up with a brilliant plan, if they can execute their batting against them.

---

ALSO READ

Kagiso Rabada ruled out; Gill brings Axar for Sudharsan as SA opt to bat in Kolkata Test vs IND

---