In cricket, it is not a guarantee that a team would get pitches, as per their liking. Yes, the Kolkata pitch wasn’t a great wicket to bat on, but then no one can take away the blame from the Indian batters, who were poor in both the innings. The team was also short on Shubman Gill, who was out injured and could not bat more than three deliveries in the match, but that cannot be the reason for the loss.
Chetesh Pujara dissects India loss
Cheteshwar Pujara, who a master at playing long innings, suggested the Indian batters, how to go about their business, if they encounter another wicket like the Eden Gardens. “That was a big loss for the Indian team. But the Indian batters will have to find a way to score runs on such pitches. If the Indian team ends up playing more matches on surfaces like this, then where do the scoring opportunities come from,” Pujara said on JioStar’s show Cricket Live.
Advises Team India batters to..
He pointed out that batters will have to use their feet against the spinner, and play a bit more positively on such wickets. “That is something that needs to be discussed in the team meeting. The batting coach will also have to speak to the batters. They need to use their feet, play the sweep shot, and play a little more positively on such pitches. You need to put the bowler under pressure, and that is something the Indian batters failed to do in this particular Test match.”
Meanwhile, this is India’s fourth loss vs a top team, in as many matches at home. Last year, India had lost to New Zealand 0-3 in the series, that had brought widespread criticism to the team. And once again, the team faltered in a similar fashion, where they could not tackle Simon Harmer, who picked up eight wickets in the low-scoring match.
