'Cheteshwar Pujara And Ajinkya Rahane Have No Place...": Sunil Gavaskar Blasts India's Batting Tactics

Legendary Indian cricket team captain Sunil Gavaskar heavily criticised the batting approach adopted by the Rohit Sharma-led side after their 0-3 Test series whitewash against New Zealand.

Legendary Indian cricket team captain Sunil Gavaskar heavily criticised the batting approach adopted by the Rohit Sharma-led side after their 0-3 Test series whitewash against New Zealand. The Indian batters struggled massively against the New Zealand bowling attack and Gavaskar said that it is the constant "attacking mindset" that is hurting them in Test cricket. In his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar pointed out that the over-reliance of aggressive strategies has resulted in players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane not finding a spot in the playing XI. He even cited England's disappointing record in overseas Tests and said that strategies like 'Bazball' has failed to provide consistent results.

"The real issue is the thinking where again the short boundaries and big bats mean that batters, after playing three or four dot balls, think they can change the momentum by going for a big shot," he wrote.

"It may work with the white ball, which doesn't swing, seam, or spin as much, but with the red ball, it's flirting with danger, especially if one has just come in to bat," he added.

Gavaskar further stated that Test cricket batting is mostly against patience and as a result, it is important for Indian batters to play according to the conditions and the opposition.