As the dust settles on India’s disappointing 0-2 Test series defeat to South Africa, criticism continues to pour in from former cricketers who have closely watched the team’s struggles. While the coach and captain have defended the squad’s intent, legendary off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has taken a far more blunt stance, dissecting India’s batting collapse with characteristic honesty.
Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin described India’s performance as nothing short of “shell-shocked, pathetic batting.” Ashwin highlighted a technical and tactical flaw he believes has persisted for years — the lack of a confident sweep shot.
“For 3–4 years, I’ve been saying our players don’t attempt the sweep. Look at New Zealand: their batters used the sweep as a defensive tool. They’d defend one ball, sweep the next — it’s practiced, it’s purposeful, and they’re very good at it,” he explained, drawing parallels between India’s hesitancy and other teams’ adaptability.
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The off-spinner stressed how crucial runs are for any bowler trying to create pressure. “As a spinner, you need 250-260 on the board. With that, you can block sweeps and set traps. But when you’re bowled out for 140-160, you’re always chasing the game,” he said.
Using Tristan Stubbs as an example, Ashwin noted how even batters with technical flaws can succeed if they back their defence. “Stubbs had a weak defence too, but he trusted it for 400 balls and made 94. We couldn’t get past it.”
Ravichandran Ashwin also questioned India’s technique against quality spin, particularly against Simon Harmer.
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“How many of our batters showed solid defence? If your defence has flaws, you start swinging. People call big hitting ‘their game’ — but no, bhaisaab, you must defend. All great players build their game on a strong foundation.”
According to Ashwin, India’s biggest concern is their rapidly declining skill against spin — a worrying trait for a team once known as the best in the world in these conditions.
