India and England cannot sweep themselves out of trouble in Tests

It's never good to experience batting failures but India's capitulation against New Zealand's pace and spin bowling came at the worst possible time.

With a demanding tour against a very strong Australian bowling attack looming, India needed to exude strength not fragility.

Of India's two deflating losses, the second in Pune on a pitch favouring spin was the worst. They were bowled out for a paltry 46 on a seaming pitch in Bengaluru but they've recovered from a previous rout. In Australia in 2020 they collapsed for an abysmal 36 but fought back tenaciously to claim a series victory.

However the loss in Pune was on India's favoured surface - one that assists spin - and they failed dismally. Amazingly, India had been undefeated on home surfaces for 18 series - an incredible span of 12 years.

Not only did India lose at Pune, they were palpably outbowled and outbatted by a resourceful New Zealand. Undoubtedly the worst feature of India's loss was their extremely poor batting on a surface that spun.

This should have been a time for India to shine rather than capitulate.

To then read about the response to those two monumental failures was nonsensical. Apparently India practised in Mumbai with lines drawn on the pitches and a serious focus placed on the sweep shot.

 

Related video: India one good partnership away from Test win: Shubman Gill (India Today)

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