Kevin Pietersen takes a brutal swipe at India's poster boys after New Zealand drubbing

Legendary England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has slammed batters across the world for their over-aggressive style of batting in Test cricket. While Kevin Pietersen did not mention the name of any team, it was clear that he was talking about India's latest batting approach against New Zealand.

Recently, Indian batters have been under the pump for their dwindling returns against spin bowling. The Indian batting line-up, which was known for its prowess against spin bowling at one time, has been constantly failing to play on turning pitches in home conditions.

The batters have been constantly questioned for their attacking approach against the spinners rather than grinding it out. While such a batting approach looks good to the eye, it also brings out a lot of risk with it.

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Kevin Pietersen on India's batting performance

The Men in Blue were on the receiving end of this approach as they were dismantled by a disciplined New Zealand spin bowling attack. Kevin Pietersen took to social media to express his views and claimed that cricket is a 'smackers' game now and Test match batting is getting disintegrated.

The former England batter feels that the only way to survive on difficult batting wickets in Test cricket is to grind it out and spend hours at the crease.

“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. 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!” Kevin Pietersen posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

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.
When it comes to playing spin, the only way, spend time playing against it…

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) November 4, 2024

England's Bazball approach

Not only India, but England too have been playing with a similar batting approach in recent times. Although England's Bazball approach has brought them some success, they suffered a 1-2 Test series loss in Pakistan recently as they failed to apply themselves on turning pitches.

India struggles against New Zealand spinners

It was disheartening as well as shocking to see the Indian batters struggling against spin bowling like never before. The batters were all at sea against Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, and Glenn Phillips in the New Zealand series.

The batters got out playing poor shots in all the matches. Instead of grinding it out in the middle, the batters focused more on scoring quickly and putting pressure on the opposition bowlers.

But the plan totally failed India could not put up a significant score in any of the innings. During the second innings of the Mumbai Test, India were bowled out for just 121 in their chase of 147 runs as the batters faltered against spin again.