Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack described that knock thus: “But on the fourth day, on a pitch which allowed even an off-spinner to bowl bouncers, Gavaskar gave a masterly exhibition of technique and judgement.”
India lost that match by just 16 runs, despite left-arm spinner Maninder Singh capturing his career-best seven-wicket haul, but Gavaskar left a classic template on how to bat on a treacherous pitch for all to follow.
The Indian team – or even the touring Englishmen – would have done well to watch the video of that Gavaskar innings. Who knows, the team might have even watched it as their coach, Ravi Shastri, the top wicket taker in the second innings with four scalps, could have at least recalled that Gavaskar knock in one of the team meetings.
So, why are batsmen unable to play spin well, as they used to do, say, in 1980s, even in 1990s?
Maninder Singh feels quality spin bowling is disappearing from Indian cricket, and thus batsmen are not used to playing spin as a staple…