Kumble's Scathing Critique After India's Heavy Defeat
Legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble did not mince words following India's comprehensive 0-2 Test series defeat against South Africa, particularly highlighting the team's dismal performance in the second Test in Guwahati. Kumble described the loss as an 'abject surrender', expressing deep disappointment with the lack of fight shown by the batting lineup.
Lack of Fight and Constant Changes Under Fire
Speaking to Jio Hotstar, Kumble pointed out that the match required resilience, adaptability, and a simple strategy of batting time, qualities he felt were severely lacking. 'Jadeja showed it,' he remarked, indicating that the fight was possible but not demonstrated by the majority of the team. He emphasized the brevity of India's innings, noting that the maximum they batted across four innings was just 83.5 overs, a statistic salvaged only by a lower-order partnership between Kuldeep and Washington Sundar.
Kumble then turned his attention to the team's selection policy and tactics, which he believes are flawed for the longest format of the game. 'You can’t have so many all-rounders, so many changes, so many changes in the batting order, so many changes in the team itself,' he stated. He criticized the revolving door policy where players are frequently dropped and brought in, preventing the development of a stable and experienced core. 'You can’t have one or two experienced players and the rest all trying to find their feet in Test match cricket,' Kumble added, stressing the need for consistency.
A Pattern of Failure and a Call for Reflection
The former India captain connected this defeat to a worrying pattern, recalling the 0-3 whitewash in New Zealand last year. He noted that while the bowlers and teams were different, the disappointing result was the same. Kumble argued that the pitch in Guwahati was a good one, with only natural wear and tear to contend with, a challenge the Indian batters failed to manage.
With the next Test match not scheduled until August 2026, Kumble urged the team management and selectors to use this time for serious introspection. He called for 'sane heads to sit around the table' and have a crucial discussion about the future direction of Indian Test cricket, especially after the retirement of several stalwarts. He insisted that this heavy defeat, which also marked India's heaviest Test defeat by runs margin (408 runs), should not be forgotten but should serve as a catalyst for change.
