India’s 2-0 Test series defeat to South Africa has brought a fresh round of scrutiny on the team’s ability to handle spin, their temperament in tough conditions, and the overall direction under head coach Gautam Gambhir. Amidst the debate, 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev has come up with a sharp reality check, stressing that India no longer have batters with the temperament of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman-players who were known for their endurance and classical Test match grit.
Are India’s Batters Struggling On Bowler-Friendly Pitches?
Inability to adapt to challenging surfaces has become a big concern for India. Kapil Dev pointed out that today’s Indian batters are more accustomed to white-ball cricket where the conditions are flatter and the scoring is quicker.
“We are more occupied with T20s and ODIs, which means the batters hardly get to see bowler-friendly pitches,” Kapil said. He believed that on surfaces which assist both spin and seam movement, patience and skillsets become more important.
He says that the legendary batters like Dravid and Laxman could function mainly because they were ready to “stay at the wicket” and grind through difficult spells, which is an art he thinks is dying out.
Is Temperament The Missing Ingredient In India’s Test Batting?
Kapil Dev also addressed a matter of temperament. He admitted that different batters bring different styles, citing Rishabh Pant as someone who will always play attacking cricket, but insisted that Test success still depends on occupying the crease.
“You cannot ask Pant to defend… He is a true match-winner,” he said, noting that while such players bring excitement, teams also need anchors who can bat long sessions. Without that balance, India’s batting order looks fragile when under pressure.
Should Gautam Gambhir Be Worried About India’s Home Record?
During Gambhir’s reign as Test head coach, India have now lost five home Tests to New Zealand and South Africa. What once seemed unthinkable has now become a worrying pattern.
The second Test, in particular, highlighted glaring issues. India were bowled out for just 140 in the fourth innings while chasing an improbable 549, succumbing to their biggest-ever defeat in terms of runs at home. It also marked the second home whitewash in 13 months, severely damaging India’s World Test Championship ambitions.
South Africa’s win was sealed in dramatic fashion, with Marco Jansen capping his allround show by taking a brilliant one-handed catch to end India’s resistance. The day-five pitch offered unpredictable bounce and sharp turn, but India were still expected to show more fight – something even captain Rishabh Pant admitted was missing.
