The Legendary Richie Benaud in his book Over but Not out wrote “Spin bowling is one of the great challenges in the game of cricket. Do it well and it can be a marvellous experience, have a setback or two along the way and it can be a miserable one”. Over the years there have been a plethora of spin bowlers who have made it to grand stage, sizzled in patches but fizzled with the passage of time. No conversation about spin bowling is complete without the mention of two spin legends - Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan. Remember what Benaud said; “these two have made the art of spin bowling their own, had setbacks along the way, overcame challenges in the beginning but went on to become spin greats”.

One of the greats, Muttiah Muralitharan is part of the IPL bandwagon donning the role of bowling coach of the Sunrisers Hyderabad. At the nets, he is keeping a close tab of the proceedings, having intense conversations with team mentor VVS Laxman, giving off-spinner Parvez Rasool and the rest a few tips on the use of the crease, the grip, so on and so forth. Murali himself has a ball in his hand with a familiar grip, twirling the ball in his palms; just that he doesn’t go on and bowl a ball himself in the nets. Murali is happy to be that ‘guiding’ force. Taking a little break from his job on the day, Muttiah Muralitharan speaks to iplt20.com about the challenges of a modern day spinner. He still has one eye at the nets, mind you!

How would you define the art called spin bowling?

Spin bowling is all about taking wickets and spinning the ball. The primary thing for a spinner when he has a ball in his hand is to spin the ball. There is so much talk about variations these days, but variations are secondary. First and foremost you need to get the ball to turn, then have control over it and then develop variations to keep the batsmen guessing. These are the three main aspects of spin bowling. The new breed of spinners need to practice hard and look to get these three things right to become a successful spinner. Spinning the ball is most important, if you don’t spin the ball, you can’t be called a spinner.

How has spin bowling evolved over the years?

Spin bowling has always played a huge part in Test cricket but over the years obviously we all know how spin has become a potent weapon in all formats of the game. But Test cricket is where the value of spin is recognised. Imagine on a turning track on the third or fourth day of a Test match. If you don’t have a spinner, you are not going to win a Test match. Spinners have always been successful in all formats of the game. But the rule changes in the ODIs have made it tough for the spinners. But if you want to see a real spinner, you have to see him bowl in Test cricket.

Has the life of a modern day spinner changed and become more challenging?

The life of a spinner hasn’t changed. It is the game that has evolved and changed a lot. The role of a spinner in Test cricket is still the same. The ODIs and T20s have undergone changes and have become more challenging for spinners. We see spinners bowling quicker or targeting the block-hole areas of the batsmen to contain runs. The role of spinners has changed according to the speed of the game. But, there is no bigger advantage as a spinner if you can manage to spin the ball.

You spoke about spinners bowling quicker to contain runs. How does one bridge the gap between containing runs and picking up wickets?

It is hard to bridge that gap. You have to at times buy wickets. You can’t keep containing, you have to look at picking up wickets. A lot depends on the conditions as well and at times you might end up going for runs while looking to pick wickets. Lot of spinners become negative instead of looking to take wickets in an effort to contain runs. It all boils down to adaptability at the end of the day. Great spinners will adapt to any sort of conditions. If you are good enough you can be effective irrespective of the format of the game. There are some spinners who fail to control the spin. When I say control I mean being aware of where you want to bowl and the areas where you want to land it. Once you master your art and gain control over your spin you begin to enjoy it and you can become a great spinner and be more effective.

Spinners have been successful in T20s, but at the same time targeted for runs. What takes to be a successful T20 spinner?

The batsmen have become attacking towards spinners. But as a spinner you need to think on the lines of when you attack, you have more chances of getting a wicket. In the past it was difficult to take wickets since batsmen wouldn’t attack you much. In Test matches you would keep bowling for long hours and the batsmen would just milk you since they wouldn’t look to attack. Now, with change of formats the mindsets of the batsmen have also changed and they look to attack the spinners. Spinners should look to take it as a challenge and in the bargain end up taking wickets.

How much importance does patience hold on that front?

Irrespective of the format of the game, whether you are a bowler or a batsman, patience is very important. Even if you are a fast bowler or a spinner, you need to work a plan and work towards executing it properly. There will be times when it won’t come off well, but at that time you need to be patient. You need to trust your abilities and back yourself to be successful.

Do you think there is too much talk about variations instead of going back to the traditional ‘flight and loop’?

Variations have become important of late. The game has evolved so much that be it a fast bowler or a spinner, variations have become key in your bowling arsenal. If you want to be successful and fox the batsmen you have to have new tricks up your sleeve. It completely depends on the person whether he wants to stick to the traditional mode of flight and loop. Some bowlers stick to variations for wickets while some work it out in the more orthodox way.

What do you make of the current lot of spinners in international cricket?

There are a lot of good spinners in international cricket at the moment. Ravichandran Ashwin is good. He has been bowling really well. He is a quality spinner. He is a regular in the Indian side and the best spin bowler for India at the moment. Harbhajan Singh is still playing. Saeed Ajmal had an issue with his action but he is back now. From Sri Lanka, Rangana Herath has been impressive.

Anyone from Sunrisers Hyderabad that can make it to the big league?

It is very hard to say over the duration of the tournament. In 45 days you can’t judge or change things. I would say in the ODI format Parvez Rasool may have a good chance. I have only known him for a week now, so I can’t judge him on that basis. You have to see how he works hard and how he comes up. There are other spinners in the ranks as well but they need to up their game and prove themselves at the big stage. The IPL is an opportunity to show how good they are. You gain from the IPL only once you make your presence felt. If they prove themselves then who knows a selection might just be round the corner.