Over the years, few batsmen have loved scoring against the Indian bowling attack. If these batsmen have been out of form, they would suddenly regain their touch when they play against India. Or, these batsmen would just go on plundering runs against the Indian bowling attack, but would not be that menacing best against other bowling line-ups. So, Cricwizz takes a look at players who have been nemesis of Indian bowling line-up.
1) Joe Root
The England skipper averages the best (62.18) against India as compared to other opponents. On Indian soil, his batting average is second best (64.76) after Sri Lanka (65.50) – meaning he has mastered the art of playing spin bowling in the sub-continent. In fact, Root has scored at least one fifty in each of the 7 Tests he has played against India in India. Overall, he has scored 1679 runs in 17 Tests against India – the most runs after Australia (1694). He also has the most tons against India (5) followed by Sri Lanka (4).
2) Hashim Amla
The South African used to love batting against India in Tests. In the 2010 tour of India, Amla was the lone man standing for South Africa. In the 2-match Test series, Amla racked up scores of 253*, 114, and 123* to average 490. In the 2nd Test at Kolkata, he was battling to draw the match, and win the series 1-0 for South Africa, with the last batsman Morne Morkel. But Harbhajan Singh dismissed Morkel in the dying stages of the game to seal the win, and draw the series 1-1. Amla remained unbeaten on 123. Overall, Amla scored 1528 runs @ 43.65 with 5 tons and 7 fifties in 21 Tests against India.
3) Steve Smith
Apart from his love of England bowling attack motivated by their cricketing rivalry, Smith also has a fondness for the Indian bowling attack. He averages the best against India (72.58) among all opponents (minimum 8 Tests). He also has scored the 2nd most tons (8) against India after England (11). In fact, whenever Smith is out of form, he gets his touch back whenever he faces the Indian bowling line-up. In the recently concluded India’s tour of Australia, Smith had a mini-slump - posting just 10 runs in 4 Test innings – before hitting 1 ton and 2 fifties in the next four innings.
4) Grant Flower
The Zimbabwean batsman has always created problems for India, be it at home or in India. He boasts of a Bardmanesque batting average of 94.83 against India in 9 Tests. And in India, his batting average is 117.14. His best knock against India came in the 2000 Nagpur Test where he scored 232 not out in the second innings to save the match after Zimbabwe were asked to follow on. Overall, he scored 1138 runs at 94.83 with 3 tons and 7 fifties in 9 Tests against India.
(Please note: The stats are up to February 8, 2020)
Cover Credits: TheGuardian
