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"The USP of...": Suresh Raina flags spin struggles as key reason behind India's Test woes

Akshita Patel

Suresh Raina's verdict on India's batting crisis [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @Crex_live/X.com]Suresh Raina's verdict on India's batting crisis [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @Crex_live/X.com]

India’s Test team is going through a tough phase amid transition. And former cricketer Suresh Raina believes the main problem lies in their struggle against spin bowling. 

After a three-day defeat in the Kolkata Test against South Africa and more pressure building in Guwahati, India’s overall batting collapses have become a talking point.

Suresh Raina identifies India’s core batting issue

Meanwhile, Suresh Raina feels the issue is not just about one match but a deeper problem in India’s batting approach.

Speaking to NDTV, Raina said that the biggest difference between India and South Africa right now is the ability to play spin. 

He said that the Indian batters, in his opinion, were once solid against the spinners, which is a strength that has seemingly dissipated.

"The difference between South Africa and India is that we are not playing spin well. That's what we used to do. The USP of Indian batters was the ability to play spin well," Raina said.

On slow and turning pitches, South African batters looked more patient and confident, while Indian batters struggled to build partnerships.

Raina also pointed out that Indian batters are now playing a fast, risky style of cricket. He said this aggressive approach works well in the IPL and white-ball formats, but it doesn’t always suit the long and demanding nature of Test cricket. 

"Absolutely, I think (India are missing a glue in the middle order). They still have a lot of quality players... but they haven't played much cricket after Australia. We lost against New Zealand also," he added.

Suresh Raina also spoke about how Test cricket itself has changed. Matches are finishing much quicker around the world, with teams playing more attacking cricket.

"The cricket this team is playing is in a different manner now... we saw in the Ashes also, the Test match finished in two and a half days."

Raina throws shade at Gautam Gambhir

He also had words for head coach Gautam Gambhir, saying that this is Gambhir’s first real pressure test as India’s coach. 

Suresh Raina stressed that a coach cannot just claim things are improving. He has to plan better and guide the team session by session. The match in Guwahati, he believes, could be a turning point for India under Gambhir’s leadership.

"The coach (Gautam Gambhir) can't say 'I'm doing better.' He has a lot of responsibility. He has to strategise for the team to work session by session."

Meanwhile, at stumps on Day 4, India had 27/2 on the board with 522 runs to chase to avoid a series defeat against South Africa.