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ICC World T20: We need to accept that India have struggled against quality spin bowling, says Sunil Gavaskar
India lost to New Zealand by 47 runs on the turning wicket where the opposition spinners picked 9 out of 10 wickets.
New Delhi: Former India cricket team captain Sunil Gavaskar feels Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team have struggled against quality spin bowling after the loss in the ICC World Twenty20 against New Zealand in Nagpur.
India lost to New Zealand by 47 runs on the turning wicket where the opposition spinners picked 9 out of 10 wickets.
Speaking to NDTV, Gavaskar said that if India would have won then there would be no talk about pitch.
"If you are giving this medicine (spinning track) to opposition, then you should be able to take it yourself. We need to accept that India have struggled against quality spin bowling. If they would have won, there would not have been any talk on the pitch," Gavaskar said.
The Nagpur pitch was criticised by some former and present cricketers around the world after India's loss.
Nagur had also got an official warning from ICC last November in 2015, when a Test match between India and South Africa finished in two and half days with some of the deliveries turning square.
After losing the first game, India have put themselves in a must-win scenario against arch-rivals Pakistan on March 19.
Gavaskar said that India might struggle against Pakistan if they ask for similar wickets like in Nagpur.
"Whether you win or lose, the next game against Pakistan is a must-win game. Also if you lose, the you are out of the tournament. They have struggled against New Zealand, they might find it even tougher against Pakistan, if this is the kind of pitches they want," Gavaskar said.
The former India legend criticised India for being over-confident and lauded the Kiwis for selecting three spinners in the starting XI.
"India lost because they were over-confident but the NZ think-tank needs to be credited for picking three spinners for this match," he said.
India have a very tough group which also include the likes of Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh besides New Zealand.