YouTube, Virat Kohli & a Spin Masterclass: How Nathan McSweeney Cracked the Code of India's Spin Attack?

New Delhi, Oct 12: Australia 'A' batter Nathan McSweeney has admitted that he has turned to YouTube for a masterclass in tackling spin, and who better to study than Virat Kohli? The Australia A batter's digital homework paid dividends in India, where he piled up 194 runs in three ODIs to claim Player of the Series honours and help his side clinch a 2-1 series victory.

"Obviously, coming to India as an Australian, it's a heavy spin focus, and you try and work hard and watch the great Indian players on how they play spin," McSweeney said after the third match, which India won by 49 runs on Sunday.

The Australian batter revealed that he studied YouTube videos of Virat Kohli, along with Steve Smith and other Australian batters who have performed well in Indian conditions, to improve his approach against spin. He also benefited from analysts' input and data, which he was pleased to translate into performances on the field.

Australia A secured the series by winning the first two matches by 125 and 69 runs, respectively, with McSweeney leading the side in the second ODI. Reflecting on the achievement, the South Australian said winning a series in India was a significant accomplishment given the challenging conditions and quality of the opposition.

The 27-year-old, who has played three Tests for Australia, all against India in 2024, also spoke about the lessons he took from the preceding four-day series. He acknowledged that he had struggled to make substantial contributions in the first innings, managing scores of 0, 35, 34 and 36 across four innings. India won the unofficial Test series 1-0, with the second match ending in a draw.

McSweeney noted that batting becomes increasingly difficult as a multi-day match progresses in India, making first-innings runs particularly valuable. He believes a substantial score early in the game can not only give a batter a better opportunity to settle in but also put the team in a strong position to secure victory. Should he get another opportunity to play red-ball cricket in India, improving his first-innings returns will be a key priority.