Kenneth Viljoen
International Debutant
India seemed to be his kryptonite
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Why did Shane Warne struggle so much against India
- Thread starter Kenneth Viljoen
- Start date
The late, great Aussie leg-spinner Shane Warne was frequently left frustrated during Test matches in India. Pic: Getty
Tailoring pitches to nullify opposition bowlers is nothing new in India. Veteran Chennai groundsman K Parthasarathy admitted he played a role in ensuring Shane Warne would not be as effective as usual in the opening Test of the 1998 series.
The world's best leg spinner finished with 1-122 in the second innings as Sachin Tendulkar smashed an unbeaten 155 to steer his side to a 179-run win. India went on to win the series 2-1.
“I kept the square patches outside the leg stump, on either side of the wicket, really hard," Parthasarathy later explained. "It was difficult to get turn from that part as there would be no rough there. After that game, Warne came to me and asked why he wasn’t getting the turn and others were.
"I told him it was because of his dodgy shoulder, that was to be operated on later in the series."
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shortpitched713
International Captain
Something something sample size maybe?
I dunno, I think a lot is sometimes made out of this stuff. For whatever reason he found it tough, and the Indian batting lineup was probably about the toughest players of spin you could find in the world. Ultimately I think he could have figured it out given more series there, but it doesn't really matter too much given how well he did basically everywhere else.
I dunno, I think a lot is sometimes made out of this stuff. For whatever reason he found it tough, and the Indian batting lineup was probably about the toughest players of spin you could find in the world. Ultimately I think he could have figured it out given more series there, but it doesn't really matter too much given how well he did basically everywhere else.
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
Murali struggled too - I think that particular lineup was just awesome against spin.
silentstriker
The Wheel is Forever
Just faced a lineup that was basically ATG against his type of bowling in their home conditions, combined with an era of pitches that were relatively flat [compared to the last few years]. Sehwag, Sachin, Dravid, Laxman etc....
subshakerz
International Coach
Combo of factors.
They were really good at playing.
His first series in India he lacked any bowling support.
Injuries meant he wasn't at full effectiveness.
Even when he was fully fit in 2004 he couldn't average less than 30.against them.
They were really good at playing.
His first series in India he lacked any bowling support.
Injuries meant he wasn't at full effectiveness.
Even when he was fully fit in 2004 he couldn't average less than 30.against them.
Migara
Cricketer Of The Year
Murali only struggled in India. At home he was all over thatfamed batting line up.
Arachnodouche
International Captain
Palpably not the same bowler that he was from 93-96. Lost his crazy drift and dip, lost the flipper. Broken toenail, bum shoulder, some ATG players of spin, all contributed. He was still bullying other sides more or less though, so you just have to assume the Indians had his number.
subshakerz
International Coach
Yeah, in the 97 series, he wasn't drifting the ball much at all, his delivery overall was pretty flat from what I remember. Of course that could be because he was getting hammered.
One problem is that he had an open action, making him very easy to read for good players of spin. Unless he had his drift and enough overt spin, he could be negotiated much easier as he lacked variation.
One problem is that he had an open action, making him very easy to read for good players of spin. Unless he had his drift and enough overt spin, he could be negotiated much easier as he lacked variation.
Nintendo
Cricketer Of The Year
Also, injuries probably played a part, as alot of people have pointed out.
Howe_zat
Audio File
There's probably only half a dozen even decent series by a spinner against India during Warne's career, and he has one of them anyway
stats.espncricinfo.com
Bowling records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com
Arachnodouche
International Captain
His action from the early years was different too. He had a far more angled approach to the crease, a longer leap that almost cut across the return crease or at least that's my recollection. And a more round-arm delivery too.
subshakerz
International Coach
Yeah and that was what made his flipper more deadly too.
Socerer 01
International Captain
Indian batting then was just too good
he’d have a field day against the current clowns and this discussion would be moot
he’d have a field day against the current clowns and this discussion would be moot
ankitj
Hall of Fame Member
I am very conscious of "noise in stats" phenomenon generally. But in case of Warne his struggles were very systematic in all conditions and all formats. Haven't opened that article about doctored pitches but he couldn't do well against India even on neutral grounds. In 1999 world cup even lesser Jadeja and Robin Singh tonked him for fun. He was supposed to be in form of his life. Got hit on Sharjaha wickets too. Indians just played spin very very well, especially leg spin.
ankitj
Hall of Fame Member
7 fivers and 2 ten fers in tests, 1 fiver in ODIs. 2 player of the match awards in tests and 2 in ODIs. Warne has 1 expensive fiver in tests, draws a blank in all other columns.
I'd never say Murali struggled against India. For Indian fans who followed their games against India with some emotional stake, it was always obvious that Murali was at least a moderate threat, Warne was none at all.