India lost 0-3 to New Zealand in the three-match Test series© AFP
Legendary Indian cricket team captain Sunil Gavaskar heavily criticized the Rohit Sharma-led side's batting approach after their 0-3 Test series against New Zealand. The Indian batsmen struggled mightily against the New Zealand bowling attack and Gavaskar said it is the constant “attacking mentality” that is hurting them in Test cricket. In his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar pointed out that the over-reliance on aggressive strategies has resulted in players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane not finding a place in the team. He even cited England's disappointing showing in overseas tests and said strategies like 'Bazball' have failed to deliver consistent results.
“The real problem is the thinking where the short boundaries and big bats again mean that after playing three or four dot balls, batters think they can change the momentum by going for a big shot,” he wrote.
“It might work with the white ball, which doesn't swing, seam or spin as much, but with the red ball it flirts with danger, especially if someone has just come to bat,” he added.
Gavaskar further stated that Test cricket batting usually goes against patience and as a result, it is important for Indian batsmen to play according to the conditions and the opposition.
“Test cricket requires some patience, especially on pitches where the bowlers get some help, but not many modern batsmen believe in that. Then there is the new thinking that whatever happens, we will only play at breakneck speed in five days.” game, and that means not much attention is paid to tiring the bowler or waiting for conditions to improve,” Gavaskar wrote in the column.
“That is why Pujaras and Rahanes have no place in the Indian team's plans. Pujara weakened the Australian attack, as did Rahane, and so the batsmen were able to take advantage of a tired attack and beat it, making up for a slow but vigilant attack. That kind of thinking doesn't exist. Now there is ball possession like English batsmen do and lose badly abroad,” he added.
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