Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has shared his insights on the lackluster performance of Indian batsmen in the ongoing Test series against England. Despite the presence of an inexperienced English spin attack, the Indian batters have struggled to deliver consistent performances. While Yashasvi Jaiswal showcased promise with his steady displays, Shubman Gill’s century in Vizag lacked follow-through in subsequent innings.

Gavaskar emphasized the importance of playing first-class matches before Test series to attain the right mindset. In his column for Mid-Day, he wrote, “The batters’ failure to get big runs also shows how important it is for both batters and bowlers to play some first-class [Ranji] games before a Test series and get themselves in the right frame of mind for the longer format of the game.”

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Sunil Gavaskar highlighted the ongoing Ranji Trophy as an ideal opportunity for batters to prepare adequately. Indian batsmen, including skipper Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, and KS Bharat, have faced criticism for their subpar performances.

Debutant Rajat Patidar also struggled to leave an impact in the middle order during the Vizag Test, further accentuating India’s reliance on key players like Virat Kohli, who is currently on a short break due to personal reasons. However, Sunil Gavaskar commended Yashasvi Jaiswal for his disciplined double century, acknowledging his ability to learn quickly.

“Yashasvi Jaiswal showed he is a quick learner by making sure he didn’t miss out on a hundred as he did in the first Test match by scoring a magnificent double century in the second Test,” he noted. The veteran cricketer stressed the significance of Jaiswal’s innings in stabilizing India’s batting lineup, especially amidst the inconsistency displayed by other batters.

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Despite individual flashes of brilliance, the Indian team’s overall batting performance has been inconsistent, with most batters failing to capitalize on promising starts. Gavaskar’s observations underscore the importance of mental preparation and match practice in shaping the success of Test cricket’s longer format.