India have reached Sri Lanka for the upcoming two-match Test series. The conditions in Sri Lanka are known to help spin bowlers, making batting a difficult task.
India have struggled on spin-friendly pitches in recent years. They were whitewashed at home by New Zealand in 2024 and again lost a Test series to South Africa in 2025 on pitches that offered plenty of help to spinners.
The numbers from Sri Lanka also show how important spin will be in this series. Since 2021, 75% of the wickets in 21 Test matches in Sri Lanka have been taken by spinners. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya has picked up 96 wickets, while off-spinner Ramesh Mendis has taken 70 wickets during this period.
Here is how India’s five key batters have performed against spin in Test cricket.
How has KL Rahul performed against spin?
KL Rahul has scored 956 runs against spin bowlers in Test cricket at an average of 43.5. He has scored 483 runs against left-arm spinners, which is the highest among all spin types he has faced. Rahul has been dismissed by spin bowlers 13 times in his Test career.
How good is Yashasvi Jaiswal against spin?
Yashasvi Jaiswal likes to attack spin bowlers from the beginning. He has scored 948 runs against spin in Tests at an excellent average of 73 and a strike rate of 86. Jaiswal has scored the most runs against England spinner Shoaib Bashir, scoring 185 runs against him.
Does Shubman Gill struggle against left-arm spin?
Yes, left-arm spin has troubled Shubman Gill in Test cricket. He has scored 407 runs from 861 balls against left-arm spinners but has also been dismissed 11 times. However, Gill has a much better record against off-spinners, averaging 61.1 against them.
Why is Rishabh Pant dangerous against spin?
Rishabh Pant is one of India’s most attacking batters against spin. He has a strike rate of 99 against spin in Test cricket. Pant has scored 806 runs from 812 balls against spin, including 33 sixes. He has been dismissed by spin bowlers 13 times. His aggressive style often puts pressure on the bowlers.
How has Ravindra Jadeja batted against spin?
Although Ravindra Jadeja is known as an all-rounder, he has become a dependable middle-order batter in Test cricket. He averages 44 against spin bowlers in Tests. However, off-spinners have troubled him more than other bowlers. Jadeja has been dismissed 23 times by off-spin, and his average against off-spinners drops to 33.
Can India’s batters handle Sri Lanka’s spin attack?
The upcoming Test series is expected to be another big test for India’s batting unit.
With spin bowlers likely to play the biggest role, experienced players like KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja, along with young stars Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, will need to perform well if India want to return home with a series win.