The recent slump in the Indian Test team's performance has been a cause of concern for cricket fans and analysts alike. Former India captain and legendary spinner Anil Kumble has weighed in on the issue, linking the team's struggles to the instability in the batting order following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Kumble highlighted the significant changes in India's top five batting positions in recent years. The departure of Kohli and Sharma, two stalwarts of Indian cricket, has created a void that the team has struggled to fill. After Kohli stepped away from Test cricket, Shubman Gill was appointed captain and moved into the No. 4 role, leaving the crucial No. 3 position vacant. Since then, the team has been experimenting with different players, including Karun Nair, Sai Sudharsan, and Washington Sundar, but a definitive solution remains elusive.

The constant shuffling in the batting order has created an unsettling environment for the players, Kumble believes. Without a settled batting lineup, players are unsure of their roles and responsibilities, leading to a lack of consistency and confidence. This instability has been further compounded by the scrutiny on head coach Gautam Gambhir, who is facing increasing pressure due to the team's poor performance in Test cricket. While Gambhir's aggressive mindset has yielded positive results in white-ball cricket, his approach has not translated to success in the longer format.

Kumble has been critical of India's batting performance in the recent Test series against South Africa. He described the team's batting display in the second Test as "quite poor," noting the lack of discipline, application, and patience. Kumble felt that the batsmen were not prepared to endure tough spells or play session by session, and their aim seemed to be chasing runs quickly, which is unrealistic in Test cricket. He emphasized the importance of respecting the opposition bowlers and their spells, but felt that India did not show enough resilience.

In the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati, India were bowled out for 201 in their first innings, conceding a significant lead of 314 runs. Despite Kuldeep Yadav's assessment of the pitch as a "road" on the second day, the Indian batters failed to capitalize and build a substantial score. A reckless shot selection led to a batting collapse, leaving India facing the prospect of a series defeat.

Kumble also questioned Rishabh Pant's captaincy during the second Test, pointing out the lack of aggression in his field placements. He noted that India did not have close-in fielders during the first session when South Africa were building a partnership, and the team needed to force the batters into playing shots to create wicket-taking opportunities.

The former India coach has previously expressed his surprise at the quiet Test retirements of Kohli and Sharma, stating that they deserved on-field farewells. He believed that both players could have contributed to India's Test team, especially with the challenging tour of England on the horizon. Kumble felt that players of their stature should have been given the opportunity to bow out in front of their fans.

With the Test team struggling to find its footing, Kumble's analysis highlights the need for stability and introspection. The constant changes in the batting order and the pressure on the coach have created an environment of uncertainty, which is affecting the players' performance. As India looks to rebuild its Test team, finding a settled batting lineup and fostering a sense of stability will be crucial for future success.