"I am myself actually surprised that Virat is getting out like this" - Wasim Jaffer on Virat Kohli's struggles against spin in IND vs NZ 2024 Tests

Former player Wasim Jaffer has expressed surprise about the mode of Virat Kohli's recent dismissals against spin. He pointed out that the former India captain was one of the best players against spin in the initial part of his career.

India suffered a 0-3 defeat in the recent home Test series against New Zealand. Kohli was among the Indian batters who were found wanting, especially against spin, aggregating 93 runs at an average of 15.50 in six innings.

During an interaction with Sports Tak, Jaffer was asked about his thoughts on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's underwhelming performances and the former's struggles against spin.

"I feel Virat was probably one of the best players (against spin), considering the way I saw him playing (Saeed) Ajmal and other players at the start of his career. I am myself actually surprised that Virat is getting out like this. Obviously, it's a loss of form," he responded.

The former India opener noted that greats like Kohli and Rohit can't be judged based on one series. However, he acknowledged that the upcoming Test series against Australia will be crucial for the duo.

"Even Rohit has played some incredible knocks on turning tracks. You can't question that they don't have the skill. It seems like it is a slight form and shot selection issue. How this series (Border-Gavaskar Trophy) goes will hold a lot of importance. They are far too great players to be judged on one series," Jaffer observed.

Rohit too endured a horror run against New Zealand. The Indian captain aggregated 91 runs at an average of 15.17 in six innings and primarily struggled against the seamers.

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"The Indian team are struggling a little and they have been struggling for a long time" - Wasim Jaffer on India's issues against spin

The Indian batters were bamboozled by the New Zealand spinners. [P/C: BCCI]

In the same interaction, Wasim Jaffer was asked about India's general issues against spin.

"Based on what we have seen, the Indian team are struggling a little and they have been struggling for a long time. If I talk about the home series we won against Australia, that was also very tight. There I feel a few innings from Axar Patel, and (Ravindra) Jadeja and (Ravichandran) Ashwin's partnership saved us, or else I felt we could have lost that series as well," he replied.

The cricketer-turned-commentator noted that the current generation doesn't seem to have the requisite skills against spin that Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, and Virender Sehwag used to possess.

"I feel that art has gone down a little, to step out and play, or playing with a big stride, or using the depth of the crease, which we used to see in Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and obviously Sachin Tendulkar. Even Viru (Virender Sehwag) was incredible against spin. I feel the current players are slightly wanting there," Jaffer said.

Jaffer opined that too much white-ball cricket on flat pitches could be one of the factors behind the Indian batters' issues against spin. He added that they no longer trust their defense enough.