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The Indian cricket team's recent 0-3 whitewash defeat against New Zealand at home has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, prompting widespread criticism from former players and analysts. This comprehensive loss, the first ever 3-0 whitewash on Indian soil, has exposed serious flaws within the team's batting lineup, particularly against spin bowling. Former Indian cricketers, including legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and Harbhajan Singh, have voiced their concerns, urging the team management to introspect and address the issues that led to this humiliating defeat.
The Indian batting lineup struggled to cope with the spin-friendly pitches, succumbing to the New Zealand bowlers who exploited the turning conditions effectively. The likes of Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel wreaked havoc, claiming a combined total of 24 wickets throughout the series. While the Indian team exhibited some fight in certain moments, the overall performance was inconsistent and lacked the resilience needed to overcome the challenges posed by the New Zealand bowlers. Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag highlighted the need for an upgrade in the team's ability to play spin, stating that 'certain experimentations are good for the shorter format but in Test cricket doing some needless experimentations just for the sake of it was indeed poor.'
The criticisms extended beyond the team's performance on the field. Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan pointed out the lack of red-ball cricket for senior Indian batters as a potential contributing factor to the debacle. He emphasized the need for more domestic cricket played on turning pitches to better prepare players for Test matches. This sentiment was echoed by former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who stated that 'these turning pitches making every batsman look very ordinary.' The series loss has undoubtedly raised questions about the team's preparation and selection strategies, prompting calls for a more holistic approach to developing the team's skillset, particularly in dealing with spin bowling. As India prepares for future Test series, addressing these concerns and implementing necessary changes will be crucial to restoring their dominance in the longer format.
Source: 'Embarrassing, Terrible': Virender Sehwag, Irfan Pathan's Explosive Verdict On Rohit Sharma And Co