The Indian cricket team is facing serious questions about its batting prowess after a shocking 30-run defeat against South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The loss, in a match where India failed to chase a modest target of 124, has triggered a wave of criticism from former cricketers and fans alike, highlighting a potential "batting blind spot".
The Kolkata pitch, known for itsvariable nature, became a major talking point as 26 wickets tumbled in the first two days. While the pitch offered assistance to seamers early on, it increasingly favored spinners as the match progressed. This created a challenging environment for batsmen, with uneven bounce and unpredictable turn making it difficult to build substantial innings.
Gautam Gambhir, the India coach, didn't mince words, pointing the finger at the batsmen's technique and temperament. He argued that the wicket, while challenging, was not unplayable, and that the Indian batsmen lacked the necessary skills to negotiate the turn effectively. Gambhir emphasized the importance of mental toughness in Test cricket, particularly when playing on turning tracks.
Former cricketers echoed Gambhir's concerns, with some suggesting a decline in India's ability to play spin. Irfan Pathan noted the reduced use of soft hands and wrist work, crucial techniques for tackling spin. Priyank Panchal criticized the preference for all-rounders over specialist batsmen and the lack of a robust game plan for home Test matches. Wasim Jaffer pointed out that India seemed to have failed to learn from previous defeats on similar pitches.
The defeat has also sparked debate about India's approach to preparing pitches for Test matches. Some believe that in their eagerness to secure home advantage, the team management has been requesting excessively spin-friendly pitches that ultimately backfire, exposing their own batsmen's vulnerabilities. There are suggestions that India should revert to producing more traditional Indian pitches, similar to those seen in the 2016-17 season.
Despite the criticism, some observers have acknowledged the challenging nature of the Kolkata pitch. Ajinkya Rahane noted that such spin-friendly surfaces are common in India, particularly within the World Test Championship cycle, where teams prioritize winning at home. He suggested that in such conditions, it might be beneficial to allow a couple of batsmen the freedom to play more attacking cricket.
Looking ahead, India needs to address its batting frailties and find a way to perform more consistently on challenging pitches. This may involve reassessing their approach to pitch preparation, focusing on developing a more robust batting technique against spin, and instilling greater mental toughness in the players. With the second Test against South Africa looming, the pressure is on the Indian batsmen to prove that they can overcome their "batting blind spot" and deliver a much-improved performance. Shubman Gill will need to lead from the front, and Rishabh Pant, as vice-captain, will also need to step up and take responsibility. Washington Sundar's promotion to number 3 in the batting order also indicates an intention to strengthen the batting lineup.
