Irfan Pathan feels that the Indian batsmen’s ability to play spin is on a sharp decline after India lost to South Africa by 30 runs in the Kolkata Test. On a pitch that proved difficult for all the batsmen, India failed to catch up by 124 runs and were bowled out for just 93. Of India’s 20 wickets in both innings 12 went to the spinner.
Simon Harmer was the hero with the ball for South Africa, taking four wickets in both innings as the Indian batsmen had no idea how to cancel out his off-spin and the variations the 36-year-old produced. This has been a worrying trend for India as this is the fourth Test they have lost in the last 6 matches they have played where the opponents have enjoyed great success.
On his YouTube channel, Pathan first criticized the batting in the second innings as he felt it was too defensive. The former all-rounder said if at least two of the top seven had taken an aggressive approach, India could have won the match.
Pathan said it didn’t necessarily mean big shots, but he wanted the batsmen to keep the game moving.
“I was watching the match and I felt that the batting needed to be changed to aggression. Why am I saying that? Look, I played a lot of first-class cricket at Motibagh. I played spins as well. With over a hundred first-class matches and almost 30 Tests for India in red-ball cricket, my experience says this – if you need about two out of your last seven at-bats, then at least two out of your first seven at-bats have to think positive, think about spin strike, put pressure on the bowler, and the game is over.”
“You saw what Axar Patel tried later on – he hit a couple of sixes and a boundary and got out. But he was still getting around 25-26. If even one or two batsmen had taken that approach. That 125 runs could have been achieved. We lost by 30 runs. Some positive shots – and not necessarily big shots from the air that moved – but using what was needed, we found a gap that kept wrist.” said the Pathan.
‘THE ART OF SPIN IS GONE’
Pathan said there was no debate that India’s ability to play spin had disappeared on the turns. The former all-rounder also claimed that a subdued approach would only land you in trouble on pitches like the one in the Kolkata Test.
“And that brings us to the main point today – our skill as Indian anti-spin batsmen, the ability to use soft hands and wrists – has plummeted. There is no debate about that. There was a time when we were considered masters of the game of spin all over the world. That art has almost disappeared in the spin lanes. Because now we mostly get white-ball pitches, we face tough lengths, especially when our skill spins when it spins drastically when the sidehands drop. the approach is too muted and you stop thinking about scoring, you get into trouble, you just think about survival and you get pressured.”
“Shubman Gill wasn’t going to bat. South Africa needed nine wickets. But still our approach should be better. Runs should be on our mind. If you become too defensive in Test cricket, maybe not the first ball, maybe not the second – but your name will be on the third and the bowler will take your wicket,” Pathan said.
India and South Africa will play the second Test in Guwahati starting on November 22.
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Published on:
November 17, 2025
