Archive · 5 Sep 2026
India's Off-Spinner Drought Raises Questions Before Next Border-Gavaskar Trophy
India needs a new top off-spinner after Ravichandran Ashwin retired from international cricket.
An off-spinner is a bowler who turns the ball away from many right-handed batters.
Saransh Jain recently played one Test but did not take many wickets.
Some former selectors believe India should give him more chances to improve.
Washington Sundar can also bowl off-spin, but injuries have affected his availability.
Tanush Kotian and young player Jeganathan Hemchudesan are other possible choices.
Experts say flat domestic pitches make it harder for spinners to develop.
They also say many young cricketers now train mainly for short white-ball matches.
India have yet to identify a specialist off-spinner to replace Ravichandran Ashwin in Tests.
Saransh Jain took 3/167 on debut against Sri Lanka, drawing criticism but also calls for patience.
Washington Sundar remains an option, although his fitness and specialist-bowler credentials are concerns.
Tanush Kotian and teenage Tamil Nadu spinner Jeganathan Hemchudesan are among the domestic candidates.
Experts attribute the shortage partly to flat pitches and emerging players’ focus on white-ball cricket.
- Who
- India’s selectors, team management, and potential off-spinners including Saransh Jain, Washington Sundar, Tanush Kotian, and Jeganathan Hemchudesan.
- What
- India is searching for a specialist Test off-spinner to succeed Ravichandran Ashwin.
- When
- The issue is being considered ahead of the next Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scheduled to begin in India in January.
- Where
- The candidates are emerging from India’s domestic cricket system; the next series will be played in India.
- Why
- Ashwin has left international cricket, while flat domestic pitches and white-ball-focused training have limited the development of specialist off-spinners.
Back Saransh Jain
Try New Options
Selection after one Test
Back Saransh Jain
Former selector Sarandeep Singh says Saransh Jain should not be written off after one difficult Test and should receive backing and development opportunities.
Try New Options
The selectors could choose a new specialist, such as Tanush Kotian or another emerging spinner, because Saransh’s debut produced only 3/167.
Role of Washington Sundar
Back Saransh Jain
The team management may persist with Washington Sundar if he is fit, given his Test contributions and ability to bowl off-spin.
Try New Options
Washington is primarily viewed as a batsman who bowls useful off-spin, and his injury history raises doubts about relying on him as India’s specialist option.
Developing Test spin
Back Saransh Jain
Supporting Saransh and giving him access to the Centre of Excellence could help him sharpen the skills required for Test cricket.
Try New Options
The broader shortage may require identifying and developing a new player because domestic pitches and white-ball-focused preparation are not producing enough conventional off-spinners.
- Former leading off-spinner
- Ravichandran Ashwin retired from international cricket during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
- Recent specialist options
- Jayant Yadav and Saransh Jain are the only specialist off-spinners to follow Ashwin in Tests, according to the article.
- Saransh Jain’s debut
- He recorded match figures of 3/167 against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
- Washington Sundar
- He has had Test success mainly with the bat and is viewed as a batsman who can bowl useful off-spin.
- Domestic contender
- Tanush Kotian received an India call-up in December 2024 but did not play in the final two Tests of that Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
- Young prospect
- Jeganathan Hemchudesan took six wickets in his first two first-class appearances and also represented India Under-19 in multi-day matches.
- Next challenge
- The next Border-Gavaskar Trophy is due to begin in India in January, with the series extending into January-February according to the article.