Batting Collapse Against South Africa Spinners Leaves Former Pacer Stunned
Former Indian cricketer Balwinder Singh Sandhu has expressed profound shock at the Indian cricket team's dramatic batting collapse in the first Test against South Africa. The side, chasing a modest target of 124 runs, was bundled out for a mere 93 runs on the third day, succumbing to the host's two spinners.
Sandhu, in his column for Mid-Day on November 20, 2025, did not mince words, calling the defeat "beyond shocking." He pinpointed the mental frailty of the batsmen, stating that the presence of close-in fielders immediately builds unbearable pressure on the current lineup.
Lack of Domestic Grit and T20 Influence to Blame
Sandhu elaborated that the modern batsman's technique and temperament are being severely compromised. "They’re not used to that intensity anymore because T20 cricket doesn’t challenge your defence the same way," he wrote. He connected this weakness to a broader trend where many players hardly play domestic cricket now.
According to the 1983 World Cup winner, it is the challenging and often difficult pitches in domestic tournaments that build the necessary toughness for international cricket. By avoiding this crucial grind, players are losing a vital part of their development.
A Lesson from the Past: The Sachin Tendulkar Example
To highlight the stark contrast in attitude, Sandhu recalled a story involving the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. In preparation for the challenging 1990 tour of England, a young Tendulkar proactively sought out practice on a pitch with grass and bounce at the RCF ground.
"He batted for two hours every single day. That’s hunger. That’s preparation," Sandhu recounted, questioning why today's players cannot demonstrate even half of that dedication and willingness to work on their game against quality pace or spin.
Repeating Mistakes and a Questionable Transition Plan
Sandhu also criticized the team for failing to learn from past failures, noting that a similar thrashing was handed to them by New Zealand in their own backyard not long ago. He finds it unacceptable that the same errors are being repeated, pointing towards a poor understanding of the players' abilities by the coaching staff.
Furthermore, he voiced strong concerns about the team's transition phase. Sandhu feels that modern greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were moved out too quickly. The ideal strategy, in his view, is to groom youngsters around experienced seniors, not at the cost of phasing the seniors out prematurely. He concluded by stating that it remains unclear who is truly ready to fill the massive void left by these two batting stalwarts.
