When was the last time Indian Cricket Team fielded four spinners in their playing XI in test cricket?

Indian Cricket Team have picked four spinners in their playing XI for the Kolkata test against South Africa.

The first test between Indian Cricket Team and South Africa Cricket Team got underway on Friday, November 14, at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bat first in the clash, starting the series on a positive note.

India surprised many with their XI, having picked four spinners in the Kolkata test. While left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav will lead the team’s spin attack in the encounter, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel are the spin-bowling all-rounders in the XI.

With four spinners along with pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill & Co. have clarified their intent of attacking South Africa batters with their spin attack in the Kolkata test. Notably, India have fielded four spinners in the playing XI in test cricket after 13 years.

India last fielded four spinners in their playing XI in test cricket against England in December 2012

The last instance of India fielding four spinners in their playing XI in test cricket was in December 2012 in a home test series against England. In the fourth and last test of the series at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, the MS Dhoni-led India included four spinners to their playing XI. Trailing 2-1 after three games, the hosts were desperate for a victory in the final game to draw to series.

Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Piyush Chawla, and Pragyan Ojha were part of India’s spin unit in the clash against England, who were led by Alastair Cook. The move did not emerge fruitful as England posted big totals of 330 and 352/4d across both innings.

After opting to bat first, England were bowled out for 330 runs in the first innings, with Chawla clinching a four-wicket haul. With a century by Virat Kohli (103) and 99 runs by Dhoni, the hosts bounced back with 326/9d.

In the second innings, Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell hammered centuries to drive the scoreboard to 352/4 and deny any chances of victory to India. The match eventually ended in a draw with England sealing off the four-match series 2-1.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.