Ravichandran Ashwin warned that India’s vulnerability to quality spin is a genuine concern after watching a disciplined showing from Namibia and its skipper, Gerhard Erasmus. Speaking on his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat, he praised the visiting team’s skill but stressed the lesson is timely given the looming India vs Pakistan showdown at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

Ashwin singled out the way the associate side deployed variations and tempo to slow run-scoring, noting that modern T20 tournaments reward teams that squeeze margins through smart bowling and fielding. “They don’t get a lot of exposure, yet they restricted us to 210. That tells you the level of planning,” he said, using the episode to underline a broader tactical warning: India must be clear on how they will counter sustained spin spells in Colombo.

The concern is far from theoretical. Pakistan’s spin battery — led by Abrar Ahmed and backed by the guile of Mohammad Nawaz — includes the mystery and variations of Usman Tariq and the tidy control of Shadab Khan, with Saim Ayub able to offer additional spin options if needed.

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That quartet combines wrist and finger spin, control and deception — exactly the blend that can force hesitation and reckoning in a batting lineup reliant on timing and power.

Ravichandran Ashwin urged India’s coaches to move beyond generic drills and focus on scenario-based work: rotating the strike in a big ground, soft-hands drills, and middle-over simulations that replicate Colombo’s tendency to grip as the game progresses. He also highlighted the psychological element — the need to remove doubt and pre-empt bowlers who use pause, change of grip or flight to disrupt a batter’s rhythm.

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In short, the message was straightforward: defending champions must translate video study into muscle memory. Watching footage gives clues, but practising responses until they become instinctive is what will decide the India vs Pakistan contest. With both teams carrying momentum, the side that adapts fastest to sustained spin will gain a crucial edge when the two rivals meet.