'Need to introspect': Anil Kumble questions India’s home pitch strategy following 0-3 sweep
Published - 03 Nov 2024, 06:14 PM | Updated - 03 Nov 2024, 11:38 PM
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Anil Kumble didn’t hold back as he tore into India’s disastrous batting performance that led to an embarrassing home series whitewash by New Zealand in the three-match Test series.
New Zealand crushed India by 25 runs in the third and final Test to complete a historic clean sweep in Mumbai. The legendary spinner minced no words, blaming Team India’s repeated top-order collapses as the primary reason behind this historic loss on home turf.
With the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 approaching fast, Kumble urged the selectors and Indian team management to pause, reflect, and address the issues that led the side to a shocking Test series loss to New Zealand.
Anil Kumble questions India’s strategy as Ajaz Patel spins New Zealand to historic Test series win
After quickly wrapping up New Zealand's second innings early on Day 3, the Indian cricket team needed only 147 runs to claim a comfortable victory at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. To everyone’s shock, Indian batters crumbled under pressure, unable to survive the mastery of left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel.
Ajaz Patel, who had already claimed five wickets in the first innings, continued his dominance, ripping through India’s lineup and leaving them reeling at 92/6 by lunch. However, Rishabh Pant fought valiantly, briefly raising hopes of a recovery with a hard-hitting half-century, but Patel dashed those hopes with a timely breakthrough, dismantling the Indian lower order.
Ajaz scalped six wickets in the second innings to help New Zealand eventually thrash India by 25 runs in the Mumbai Test. After New Zealand recorded their first-ever Test whitewash on Indian soil, Anil Kumble was scathing in his criticism of India’s strategy.
He questioned the decision to prepare turning pitches in both Pune and Mumbai, which ironically played right into New Zealand’s hands. He credited New Zealand’s grit and adaptability, which allowed them to conquer not just the pitches but the intense conditions across three venues to win their first-ever Test series in India.
We need to give credit to New Zealand: Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble was quoted as saying by JioCinema: “India needs to introspect and then, you know, understand what kind of surfaces you need to play on as well. I think we spoke about it even in Pune before the start of the Test match itself. It was a spin to win, but it's certainly given New Zealand a chance to come out there and then do what they have done exceptionally well. Everybody has a good soft word and nice word about the Kiwis, but this was a performance where New Zealand dominated in the series.
Yes, of course, the win was just by 25 runs, but the way they went about countering the pitches, the conditions, the bowling, and that's what you need to give credit to New Zealand. Whereas India succumbed to all of those that I mentioned. I think the pitch got to the heads of the Indian batters. Of course, the quality of Indian spin vs the quality of New Zealand. I think we don't even need to mention the kind of experienced bowling attack that India has.”
Anil Kumble questions India's batting approach
Furthermore, the former Indian head coach Anil Kumble has expressed deep concern over India’s top-order batting approach, saying they struggled to bat for even a single session throughout the three-match Test series, barring one significant partnership in the second innings at Bengaluru.
Kumble mentioned that India’s batting lineup was consistently dismantled within just one session in five innings, which is a troubling reflection of both their mindset and their overall approach.
The legendary Indian spinner also suggested this pattern should spark serious introspection and adjustments for the Indian team. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 around the corner, Kumbke warned that India’s repeated collapses against spin on home pitches expose troubling weaknesses.
