Last update:Nov 03, 2024, 19:23 IST

Anil Kumble feels that the time has come for the current team to openly accept that there is indeed a problem with the team’s batting performance of late.

The Indian batsmen have been disappointing during the New Zealand Test series. (Sports photos)

Legendary player and former head coach of the Indian cricket team Anil Kumble believes that the time has come for the current team to openly accept that there is indeed a problem with the team’s batting performance of late, which has been turned into a cause. of concern as the World Test Championship reaches its final stages.

Kumble was dissatisfied with the performance shown by the Indian batting unit, which failed to reach a target of 147 in spin-friendly conditions in Mumbai as New Zealand whitewashed India to secure a 3-series win. -0 on Indian soil. , for the first time since 1999/2000.

Rishabh Pant was the only batsman to score well as he scored 64 runs as the others crumbled to show a woeful batting display at home once again. Veteran stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have also been criticized for their lack of runs with the bat despite playing at home and in spin-friendly conditions.

Kumble suggested that the batting collapses seen during the New Zealand series have happened many times and significant change is yet to be seen. He also suggested that it was time for the team to step forward and admit that there were indeed concerns with the bat.

“This has happened consistently over the last three Test matches. Whenever the spinners come on, there has been no noticeable improvement from game to game. A couple of players have made certain adjustments, which has helped in the batting line-up, but collectively, as a batting unit, they have not been able to avoid those collapses,” Kumble shared on JioCinema and Sports18.

“This has happened too often in a single session, which is worrying. For this lineup to say, ‘It’s okay,’ I think there’s something very wrong here. The most challenging part is accepting that there is a problem. “I am sure that when this Indian team sits down and reflects, they will recognize that there is indeed a serious problem that needs to be addressed,” he added.

Indian batsmen have been scrutinized for their weaknesses when playing against spinners. Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel wreaked havoc on the series to ensure that the Indian batsmen were unable to make much of an impact, which was a surprise considering India are historically known for being prolific spin players.