Indian batters have been facing widespread criticism after the cleansweep in the three-Test series at home against New Zealand. Apart from Rishabh Pant, no Indian batter scored more than 200 runs in the series. While Pant backed his attacking intent, other batters' defense wasn't sound enough against Kiwi spinners Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips. After India failed to chase down 147 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen said that there are no quick fixes to the struggles against spin.
"No one should be surprised by the lack of batting application and technique in Test Match cricket. Cricket is a ‘smackers’ game now and there is a disintegration of Test Match batting skill in the game," Pietersen wrote on X.
"When it comes to playing spin, the only way, spend time playing against it for hours and hours and hours. There’s no quick remedy!"
Pietersen's record in India
For a touring batter, Pietersen has a good record in India. From nine Tests on Indian soil, he scored 703 runs at an average of 43.93 including two centuries and four half-centuries. He was also a part of the Alastair Cook-led side that beat India in India before Tom Latham's New Zealand ended the Test giants' dominance at home was brought to an end.
Kohli, Rohit's numbers in New Zealand series
Veteran batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's average in the series was little over 15. Rohit failed to convert starts whereas Kohli's only notable knock of 70 came in Bengaluru Test after India were bowled out for 46 in the first innings, their lowest score at home. Kohli scored 93 runs from six innings whereas Rohit managed to score 91.
India's WTC final chances
The cleansweep has affected India's chances of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final. They have slipped from first position to second. The table-toppers Australia will now take them on in home conditions starting November 22 at Perth Stadium. If India are to reach the WTC final, they need four wins in the five-Test series.
