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India's recent 0-3 Test series defeat against New Zealand at home has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, prompting widespread introspection and criticism. The loss marked the first time India had suffered a clean sweep in a Test series at home since 1999/2000, raising serious concerns about the team's preparedness and performance. The series loss has also jeopardized India's chances of reaching the World Test Championship final, with the team now needing to win at least four out of five matches in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
Legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar, known for his exceptional batting prowess, expressed his disappointment with the team's performance, highlighting the need for introspection. He questioned whether the loss was due to a lack of preparation, poor shot selection, or insufficient match practice. Tendulkar acknowledged the resilience displayed by Shubman Gill in the first innings and the brilliance of Rishabh Pant throughout the series, highlighting their individual contributions amidst the overall team's struggles.
Former Indian players also weighed in on the series defeat, criticizing various aspects of the team's performance and the pitch conditions. Virender Sehwag, a renowned former opener, pointed to the dominance of spin bowling in the series, noting that 37 out of 57 wickets were taken by spinners. He suggested that the team's struggle against spin needed to be addressed, hinting at the need for improvement in this particular skill. Sehwag also congratulated the New Zealand team for their impressive performance, highlighting the rarity of a clean sweep victory in India.
Irfan Pathan, a former left-arm pace all-rounder, focused on the lack of red-ball cricket played by batters in domestic tournaments, citing a conversation with his brother Yusuf Pathan. He highlighted the prevalence of grassy or flat pitches in domestic cricket, arguing that the absence of challenging turning pitches could be detrimental to the team's long-term performance. Pathan's concern echoed the sentiment that a lack of exposure to diverse pitch conditions could impact the team's ability to adapt and perform consistently at the international level.
Harbhajan Singh, a former off-spinner, directed his criticism towards the pitch conditions, suggesting that the turning pitches in India were detrimental to the team's performance. He argued that the nature of the pitches made the batsmen appear ordinary and made it easier for bowlers to take wickets, even without possessing exceptional skills. Harbhajan's call for the team to play on better pitches reflected the concerns about the quality of the playing surfaces and their impact on the players' performances.
The series loss has undoubtedly triggered a wave of introspection within the Indian cricket team, forcing them to reassess their strategies and address areas of weakness. With the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia looming, the team faces immense pressure to perform and secure a spot in the World Test Championship final. The series against New Zealand has served as a stark reminder of the need for continuous improvement, adaptation to different conditions, and strategic planning to remain competitive at the highest level of international cricket.
Source: Sachin Tendulkar Questions India's Preparations After New Zealand Series Loss: "Tough Pill..."