Ahead of the opening Test between Team India and Bangladesh, starting September 19 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, sources told MyKhel that Gambhir, known for his mastery against spin, spent significant time with Kohli explaining how this technique allows a batter to make quicker adjustments before the ball pitches. This early anticipation helps the batter decide whether to defend, attack, or adjust their footwork more effectively. By observing the bowler's wrist or grip at the moment of release, a batter can predict whether the delivery will be a leg-spin, off-spin, or a variation like a googly. This approach enables faster decision-making, rather than waiting for the ball to turn off the pitch, which can be particularly tricky on spin-friendly surfaces like those in India. IND vs BAN 2024: 'I am sure Rohit won't..' - Suresh Raina warns India ahead of Bangladesh Test During the boot camp ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, Gambhir's insights also highlighted the importance of adapting quickly to spin-friendly conditions. Relying on reading the ball after it pitches can leave the batter vulnerable to sharp turn, skid, or bounce, which are difficult to judge. This delay risks the batter losing valuable reaction time, leading to mistimed shots or dismissals. Gambhir's advice also focused on how an early reading of spin from the hand can help a batter avoid getting deceived by variations such as flight, drift, or changes in pace, which are harder to detect after the ball has pitched. This tactical guidance during the Chennai net sessions is expected to refine Kohli's approach against spinners in challenging conditions. Sources revealed that Gambhir also advised all the Indian batters including Kohli to consider using lighter bats while facing spinners, as this can help bring the wrist element more effectively into play. IND vs BAN: A look into India's largest Test win against Bangladesh by Runs, Wickets and Innings Gambhir explained that a lighter bat allows for quicker adjustments in hand movement and wrist flexibility, making it easier to manoeuvre the ball, especially on turning pitches. This technique enables batters to play with more finesse, using their wrists to control the ball's direction, execute deft placements, and respond to unpredictable turn or bounce. By incorporating the wrist element, batters can manage subtle changes in spin and pace, giving them greater control over their shots and allowing for quicker footwork adjustments. This approach is particularly useful in playing late cuts, sweeps, or flicks, which can turn tricky deliveries into scoring opportunities against spinners. Gambhir, known for his exceptional skill against spin, reportedly used to make holes in his bat to reduce its weight, allowing for quicker bat speed and better wrist control. Even with his strong eyesight and ability to face spin comfortably, this adjustment helped him maximize his effectiveness against spinners. Now, as India's head coach, Gambhir seems determined to revive the country's renowned batting prowess against spin, a hallmark of previous generations of Indian cricketers. His focus on improving the team's approach to playing spin-whether through lighter bats or by reading the ball earlier from the hand- shows his intent to restore India's dominance in handling spin bowling. Gambhir's hands-on methods (especially after losing the ODI seeks to Sri Lankan spin), combined with his technical advice, are geared toward helping the current generation of players regain that finesse and confidence when facing world-class spinners, especially on spin-friendly pitches. This determination reflects his commitment to elevating India's batting standards against spin attacks, which once was a defining strength of Indian cricket. At least, Gambhir's generation played the spinner better!