Sunil Gavaskar, Matthew Hayden reveal ultimate plan to solve India’s batting crisis

Former India National Cricket Team player Sunil Gavaskar has shared advice for the Rohit Sharma-led side ahead of the fourth Test of the series against the Australia National Cricket Team. He said that batters need to spend more time at the crease as it will allow them to have a sense of what the pitch is like.

India National Cricket Team is all set to take on Australia National Cricket Team in the fourth match of the Test series. Boxing Day-day Test between the teams gets underway on Thursday (26th December) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne.

India batters have struggled to get going in the series. Apart from KL Rahul, no other batter has looked settled at the crease as they have attempted to get quick runs. The opening batter has spent a lot of time at the crease, and it's fair to say that it's the reason behind his success in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 series.

Yashasvi Jaiswal spent time in the middle in the first Test and was extremely successful as he hit a blistering century. But after that, he has failed to get going while senior batters Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and others have looked impatient, which is the reason behind their failure.

Don’t look at a scoreboard, just look at the clock and just get there - Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar urged India National Cricket Team batters not to look at the scorecard and advised them to spend time at the crease. He said that their main focus of the openers should be to be there till lunch as it will give them a great idea of the pitch.

Sunil Gavaskar also added that Yashasvi Jaiswal struggles with the new ball in the first over. Therefore, according to him, KL Rahul should take the strike. Speaking to Star Sports, he explained:

"…don’t look at a scoreboard. Just look at the clock and just get there. That’s the thing that this is where I want to be at lunch. And then because it gives you a little time to settle down, it also gives you a sense of what the pitch is," said Sunil Gavaskar.

"…because he’s (Jaiswal) got out now twice in the first innings within three deliveries, first ball in Adelaide, second ball over here (Brisbane), maybe Rahul takes the first ball." Sunil Gavaskar added.

I just feel at the moment that there’s an urgency around India’s batting - Matthew Hayden

Matthew Hayden, who was part of the discussion around Sunil Gavaskar, said that he had sensed the urgency around India’s batting. He suggested that batters need to find a way to get through the new ball.

While citing the example of Nathan Mcsweeny, Matthew Hayden said that although the batter hasn't scored runs, but has found a way to bat for a longer time. While talking about the wicket at Melbourne, he explained:

“I just feel at the moment that there’s an urgency around India’s batting. Technically find a way to get through the new ball. Try to find a way to stay and remain at the crease.

Nathan McSweeney hasn’t set this series alight but what he has done is resisted the urge to get out early. Usman Khawaja is a bit the same. And that’s Australian conditions. It’s a new ball wicket. Melbourne will be no different, nor Sydney."

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