Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has called for India’s top batters to raise their standards in Test cricket, emphasizing that improving individual averages—especially in away conditions—would lead to greater success for the team. He pointed out that apart from Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal, no Indian batter averages over 40 in Tests played outside India, a concerning statistic for a team aiming for consistency in the longest format.
“My only worry when I see them playing Test cricket is that other than Virat and Yashasvi, not many of them average more than 40 away from home,” Ganguly said on RevSportz.
Jaiswal, despite his limited experience, has impressed with an average of 44.18 in nine home Tests. Kohli, a stalwart of Indian cricket, holds an average of 41.51 across 66 away Tests. However, his record in neutral venues is less impressive, averaging 30 in the two World Test Championship (WTC) finals held in England against New Zealand and Australia.
Among other regular members of India’s top order, Rishabh Pant stands out with an average of 37.59 in 29 Tests, the highest outside Kohli and Jaiswal. Ganguly stressed the need for more players to step up, especially those forming India’s core batting lineup.
“The likes of Rahul, Shubman, Pant will have to look at that. You want to be a good Test team, three or four of your top six batters must be averaging close to 50,” he added.
With India’s next Test series set to be a demanding five-match tour of England following the IPL, Ganguly underlined the mental resilience required to perform in such conditions. “It’s (all about) the mentality, determination, and grit. They have the talent. Virat Kohli—best in the business. I don’t see him failing five Tests in England. Shubman Gill needs to take his Test cricket batting much higher,” he remarked.
India’s Test struggles have been evident in recent times despite their recent success in ICC tournaments. While they secured back-to-back titles in the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, their 2024/25 Test season was disappointing. A historic 3-0 series defeat at home to New Zealand, followed by a 3-1 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, resulted in India missing out on a spot in the WTC Final.
As India prepares for their next Test cycle, Ganguly’s message is clear: for the team to return to dominance, the batters must take responsibility and deliver consistent performances in all conditions.
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
