New Delhi, Nov 17 (NationPress) Former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Brad Haddin has voiced concerns over India’s dependence on playing Tests on turning pitches, pointing out that the Kolkata Test marks the second instance of this strategy failing during Gautam Gambhir’s leadership. This has highlighted the batting unit's inability to effectively handle spin bowling on such surfaces.

India’s struggles against spin-friendly pitches persisted as they faced a 30-run defeat to South Africa at Eden Gardens in less than three days. This loss followed closely on the heels of India's failure to chase down 147 runs against New Zealand in Mumbai, leading to a historic 0-3 series sweep for the home team.

“They’ve now encountered this issue twice under Gambhir. They excel when the focus isn’t solely on turning wickets but on building scoreboard pressure with their runs. They are essentially sidelining their world-class batters. I believe they are leaving too much to chance,” Haddin said during the Willow Talk podcast episode released on Monday.

Haddin, who played alongside Gambhir for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL, further noted the differences during Virat Kohli’s captaincy.

“When Virat Kohli took the helm, they were more focused on batting for long periods and creating pressure on the scoreboard. However, they are now relying too much on chance. This approach brings ordinary spinners into play. The nuances of using drift and varying angles from the crease are lost,” he explained.

“You’re left with bowlers who can merely throw the ball, allowing the pitch to do the rest. It was surprising to hear Gambhir express satisfaction with the surface they were playing on. This same strategy led to their downfall against New Zealand as well,” he stated.

India currently trails 0-1 in the two-match series and is set to face South Africa in the second Test, starting at ACA Stadium in Guwahati this Saturday. Alyssa Healy, captain of the Australia women’s team, emphasized that India needs to play on better pitches, as their defeats at home are quite bizarre.

“I’m unsure of their strategy. Batting against spin is inherently challenging worldwide, even for those who grow up playing on such wickets. They should reconsider their approach. By consistently opting for turning wickets, they are undermining their own chances, which hasn't worked in their favor,” she remarked.

“New Zealand capitalized on this strategy to beat them at home. They should consider creating flatter wickets to allow their players to excel. I believe their spinners perform better on surfaces that don’t offer excessive turn. This could also enhance the batting experience for their players. If this is their genuine request, I find it perplexing because it enables the opposition to mount a counterattack,” she added.

“Considering players like Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, and to some extent, Axar Patel, they proved effective when attacking the stumps. However, they need to reevaluate their tactics. Losing Test matches at home is an unusual occurrence for India, and they must assess what steps to take next. Perhaps it’s time to play on more conducive wickets,” she concluded.