Former India fast bowler Balwinder Singh Sandhu has launched a scathing critique of the current Indian batting lineup's preparation and mentality, following the team's shocking 30-run defeat to South Africa in the first Test at Kolkata's Eden Gardens.
T20 Mentality Exposed in Fourth-Innings Collapse
The 69-year-old World Cup winner argued that the dramatic batting collapse, which saw India dismissed for 93 while chasing a modest target of 124, highlighted deep-rooted issues that extend far beyond the pitch conditions. India's inability to chase down 124 runs on the third day against South Africa's two spinners was described by Sandhu as beyond shocking.
Sandhu pinpointed a fundamental flaw in the modern batter's psyche. He wrote in his Mid-day column that the moment batsmen see close-in fielders, the pressure becomes overwhelming. They are not used to that intensity anymore because T20 cricket does not challenge your defence the same way, he stated, directly linking the failure to the growing influence of shorter formats.
A Call for Old-School Hunger and Preparation
Drawing a stark contrast with past greats, Sandhu recalled an anecdote involving the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. He revealed that before the 1990 England tour, a young Tendulkar proactively sought challenging practice sessions.
Sachin Tendulkar called me to the RCF ground because the pitch had grass and bounce. I brought seven or eight pacers. He batted for two hours every single day. That's hunger. That's preparation, Sandhu recounted, questioning why a similar level of commitment and specific preparation is not visible among today's stars. He openly asked, Why can't today's players show even half that attitude?
The former pacer also highlighted the diminished focus on domestic cricket, suggesting it has severely impacted players' ability to handle tough, high-pressure situations in international matches.
Coaching and Management Under Fire
Sandhu did not spare the team management from criticism, stating that the same errors keep resurfacing. He pointed to India's previous defeat at home against New Zealand as an example of lessons not being learned. It clearly shows a poor understanding of our current players' abilities, he wrote.
He placed significant responsibility on the coaching staff, calling their performance unacceptable. Being a coach myself, I feel any coach who has been around for years should know his team's strengths, weaknesses, and mindset inside out, Sandhu added, emphasizing the need for better strategic planning.
Furthermore, he questioned the team's flawed succession planning. We still don't know who is ready to step into the shoes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, he wrote, expressing his belief that the veterans were moved out of the setup too quickly. He advocated for a more gradual transition where youngsters are groomed around seniors, not at their cost.
The defeat was particularly painful as India had gained a 30-run first-innings lead after bowling South Africa out for 159. However, a gritty 55 from Proteas captain Temba Bavuma in the second innings set a target that proved just enough to expose India's batting frailties. Notably, no batter from either side, apart from Bavuma, managed to cross the fifty-run mark in the entire match.
