- True cricket connoisseurs, experts from the sport, ex-players, and even the die-hard fans would have noticed how the Indian Test team batters are struggling to cope with the visiting spinners, even as the hosts are supposed to be the best in the business at handling slow bowlers. Not too long ago, the visiting teams used to be not only wary about the Indian pitches and playing conditions but also would be found at the receiving end in containing our batters, brought up on a steady diet of low and slow pitches. Many visiting teams would proclaim that winning a Test series in India is tantamount to conquering the final frontier since the conditions prevalent here always posed tremendous challenges. Not anymore, though.
PC: Hindustan Times
- Going by the look of things in the last few series played at home, the visitors appear to be not only better prepared to take on the might of the home spinners but also have mastered the ways and means to better the batters with such ease. The way Indian batters are being steamrolled in familiar conditions in the last year or so must be worrying for the BCCI officials, selectors, and the coaching staff. First, the visiting New Zealanders whitewashed us 3-0 with such a domineering performance that there was no hiding for Team India from feeling embarrassed and humiliated. Yes, we did win the Tests against the less fancied Bangladesh and West Indies quite comfortably. However, what transpired against the visiting South Africa recently must be heartbreaking.
PC: India Today
- The 2-0 loss to the Proteas must be stinging the Indian team no end with our batters repeatedly falling to the guiles of the less fancied visiting spinners, unable to offer even a semblance of fight. The moot point to ponder over here is whether our acclaimed batters have lost their mojo to play in home conditions as they once used to, courtesy of opting out to play in the domestic circuit, thereby allowing the much better-prepared visitors to showcase their supremacy. Yes, some of the biggest names in the international circuit in the last decade or so, like Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Rohit Sharma, have retired from the classical format in the last year or so. Sadly, the youngsters replacing those big shoes are not yet ready to shoulder the responsibilities.
PC: SportsCafe.in
- One of the most glaring anomalies witnessed in the way our batters have showcased their skills is the sheer lack of application, grind expected in the longest format, playing out sessions, respecting the conditions, and building partnerships for a long period of time. None of these essentials is on witness from the young batters who have no dearth of talent but sorely lack patience and skills to build innings slowly and steadily. The surfeit of T20 cricket players has apparently allowed flamboyance to seep into our batters, aiming for instant glory. The Indian players must be asked to play domestic cricket when no international matches are scheduled. The only way our batters could be competitive is to play on home pitches and master them. Simple.
