India’s recent 3-0 home series loss to New Zealand has sparked major concerns, as the batters appeared unsteady and ill-prepared to face quality spin. Senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli managed only 91 and 93 runs respectively across the series, while younger players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Sarfaraz Khan showed glimpses of promise but couldn’t sustain their form.
With India needing a decisive 4-0 victory in the upcoming five-match series against Australia to secure a spot in the World Test Championship final, their batting issues have become a pressing matter. Former Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar shared his insights on the Indian lineup’s struggles, identifying a troubling mindset that prioritizes aggression over patience.
Sunil Gavaskar believes that the batters are too quick to resort to risky shots after a few dot balls, reflecting a “white-ball mindset” that doesn’t suit red-ball cricket. “Temperament is the issue,” Gavaskar explained in an interview with India Today.
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“The mentality now is shaped by white-ball cricket—when players face two or three dot balls, they feel the need to impose themselves on the bowlers with an aerial shot. In red-ball cricket, particularly where there is movement in the pitch, such risks are far less likely to succeed.”
Gavaskar went on to explain that while Indian batters have strong technical skills, their eagerness to play big shots highlights a disconnect with the patience required in Test cricket. “They believe they can clear the boundary due to shorter boundaries and powerful bats, but that mindset doesn’t work when the ball is moving,” he noted.
This series loss also raises questions about the longevity of senior players in India’s Test squad. With a crucial series against Australia looming, the BCCI is expected to make key decisions regarding the future of seasoned players like Rohit, Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja.
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Sunil Gavaskar pointed out that Australia’s challenging conditions may provide a defining test for these veterans, especially as they approach the later stages of their careers. “It could be a tour that determines many futures,” Gavaskar remarked, suggesting the Australia series could mark a transition period for India’s Test squad.
