New Delhi: It seems that India have made it a habit of throwing away their wickets to spinners, regardless of the track they are playing in.
The way Indian batsmen played against South African spinners – Dean Elgar, Imran Tahir and Simon Harmer– on the first day of the opening Test against South Africa, it made the thought even more evident.
Part-time left-armer Elgar went through the Indian batting line-up, as he picked up four wickets in space of eight overs. The left-arm spinner got the better of Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha and Amit Mishra to take the shine away from Indian batting.
Even the set batsman Murali Vijay, who remained the highest run-scorer for India with his 75-run knock, played an over-ambitious sweep to gift his wicket to Simon Harmer.
In the end of the innings, premier Proteas spinner Imran Tahir didn't waste any time to pick the last two wickets in the form of Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron to bowl India out for a paltry 201.
In the recent past we have seen Indian batsmen showing vulnerability while playing against Moeen Ali and Nathan Lyon. Earlier in 2013 too, India lost their wickets to Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar at home conditions.
It clearly proves that India, who was once known to be one of the best batting units against spin bowling, have now made it a habit of gifting wickets to tweakers.
