After the team’s crushing 300-run innings victory over Afghanistan in Mullanpur on Monday, former batting legend Sunil Gavaskar stated that batting discipline—rather than bowling—remains India’s largest issue of concern in Test cricket and that it is time to stop viewing the team through the prism of transition.
Debutant left-arm spinner Manav Suthar impressed with a seven-wicket match haul as India dominated Afghanistan in the one-off encounter to record their biggest-ever innings victory in Test cricket.
Every team has personnel changes, but performance standards must continue to be the major priority, Gavaskar said, reflecting on India’s growth.
“It’s time to move away from constantly describing this team as being in transition and instead focus on the standards expected in Test cricket. Every team goes through retirements, changes in personnel, and periods of evolution, but ultimately the emphasis has to remain on performance,” PTI quoted Gavaskar as saying on JioStar’s ‘Cricket Live’.
“Looking back at some of India’s recent Test results, the bigger concern has been the batting rather than the bowling. The bowling attack has generally done its job, but the batters need to show greater discipline and stronger technique, especially in challenging situations.”
Additionally, Gavaskar warned against letting T20 customs infiltrate the longest format.
“At times, there is a tendency to slip into a T20 mindset where patience becomes difficult after a few dot balls, and that can lead to poor decisions.”
“Test cricket demands a different approach. India’s focus going forward should be on tightening their batting processes, building longer innings, and concentrating on the present rather than viewing every result through the lens of transition,” he said.
Following the exits of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, India all-rounder Washington Sundar, who is anticipated to take on more responsibility in the spin department alongside Kuldeep Yadav, stated that the team was committed to upholding high standards across formats.
“We are fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead. As a group, we understand what will be required from us to succeed in those conditions and continue performing consistently across formats,” Washington said.
On his partnership with Kuldeep, Washington said: “Kuldeep and I have played a lot of cricket together, so there is a strong understanding of each other’s strengths and roles within the team.”
Afghanistan’s crushing loss, according to former England spinner Graeme Swann, was more a result of their lack of Test experience than a lack of skill.
“Afghanistan’s performance highlighted the challenges that come with limited exposure to Test cricket rather than a lack of talent,” Swann said adding that regular opportunities at the top level would help the side grow.
Gavaskar gave debutant Suthar extra credit but cautioned against making snap judgments based only on one performance.
“Manav Suthar has had an outstanding start to his Test career and there is no doubt that a seven-wicket match haul makes for a highly impressive debut. It was a highly encouraging debut, but one that should be viewed as the beginning of a journey rather than the finished product,” he said.
