Team India’s assistant coach Abhishek has given a befitting reply to Aakash Chopra, MSK Prasad, and several other former cricketers for saying that the team doesn’t play spinners well, calling their statements harsh. The batters were under the scanner after Mitchell Santner took 13 wickets in the second Test in Pune, with New Zealand registering a 113-run win over the hosts.

Earlier, the home team lost the opening game by 8 wickets in Bengaluru. The Kiwis have won their first-ever Test series in the subcontinent, ending India’s 12-year-old unbeaten run at home. Rohit Sharma’s team will now try to avoid a whitewash in the third Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

“It is a harsh statement that Indian players don’t play spinners well. The credit should be given to the New Zealand bowlers for the way they have bowled so far,” Abhishek Nayar said.

The 41-year-old also shed light on the aggressive batting style under Gautam Gambhir’s coaching.

“The aggressive batting and intent will not work at times. Gautam Gambhir has said that you would have days when you score fastest 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250, but there are going to be times when this wouldn’t work for you.

“It is important to stick to what you believe is right and work on it. As a team or a player, there will be hard times when you try something new to come out of your comfort zone. Sometimes the results are not as per your expectations.”

After the New Zealand series, India will travel to Australia for five Test matches.