Bapu Nadkarni and the Art of Defensive Spin Bowling

Bapu Nadkarni was more than just a record-holder; he was a master of the craft of defensive left-arm orthodox spin. Throughout his 41-Test career, he took 88 wickets with an astonishing economy rate of 1.67 runs per over. His philosophy was simple: if the batsman cannot score, they will eventually make a mistake. His record of 21 straight maidens in a single Test match is a testament to this tactical precision, proving that control can be just as effective as aggression.