NEW DELHI: Cricketer-turned-broadcaster Ian Smith remains astonished by New Zealand's landmark 3-0 Test series triumph in India in late 2024, attributing the hosts' recent struggles in red-ball cricket at home to their batters' waning ability against spin.
Left-arm spinners Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner were the masterminds behind New Zealand's historic victory, ending India's unbeaten streak at home that had lasted 12 years. On the batting front, Rachin Ravindra and Will Young impressed, often outshining their more established teammates.
South Africa's recent two-Test series sweep in India further highlighted the hosts' vulnerabilities, with off-spinner Simon Harmer tormenting the Indian line-up on turning tracks.
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Speaking to PTI, Smith described New Zealand's Test series win in 2024, as well as their recent ODI success earlier this month, as remarkable feats for the team.
"It's a remarkable achievement. It was also a bit of a surprise to me (the Test series win over India. I didn't think they'd do that. Some of our key players play a lot more here now than they used to. I think they've got a different attitude to playing spin.
"When we've come here in the past, spin has tied us in knots. They've had very good spinners. And you've still got very good spinners. It's just that I think the modern day players, because of their attitude towards spin, are a lot more aggressive, become a lot more effective."
It was the spinners who delivered the decisive blow to India, as the star-studded batting line-up struggled against the left-arm spin of Santner and Patel on the turning tracks.
Smith noted that Indian batters' ability against spin has declined, but added that identifying a single cause is challenging given the team's deep pool of talent.
"It looks as if it has (gone down). If you look at the numbers, I'm sure they play it well. Whether they've lost confidence, whether they're doubting themselves, which would surprise me because it's not something I'd be used to," said the former New Zealand wicket-keeper batter.
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Smith is okay with the likes of Kane Williamson and Trent Boult opting out of New Zealand central contracts to make more money in T20 leagues around the world but not when a cricketer like Finn Allen in his 20s declines the national contract.
"But it's not going to stop. I don't see it stopping. Particularly in New Zealand because we don't have a lucrative T20 competition. Our players make nothing out of our T20 competition. Our Super Smash provides no income. They are looking at putting together a new competition.
"If that eventuates and the money is what they say it might be, some of these players might stay at home a bit longer. But you can't blame them. The only thing that concerns me is they're going at such a young age.
"When you get to Williamson's and Conway's and those guys in their mid to late 30s, I don't blame them. Take the money and you've deserved it. But when you're going in their mid-20s, that's a worry," Smith added.
(With PTI Inputs)
