India’s disappointing white-ball tour of the United Kingdom has prompted renewed scrutiny of the team’s performances, but former India Captain Sunil Gavaskar believes there is no reason for sweeping changes just yet. Instead, he has urged the side to learn from its shortcomings through honest self-assessment and better execution after defeats against Ireland and England raised fresh questions ahead of a busy international season.
Writing in his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar argued that India’s recent struggles highlighted areas that require improvement rather than wholesale change, ranging from batting discipline and tactical awareness to fielding standards and the domestic game’s playing conditions.
Overseas conditions expose familiar challenges
Gavaskar believes one of the biggest factors behind India’s batting struggles overseas is the contrast between domestic and international playing conditions, particularly the size of boundaries.
Gavaskar wrote: “People have been speaking about the Indian batters hammering the bowling on flat pitches and smaller boundaries in the IPL and then getting exposed in unfamiliar conditions in England. The fact is that there were flat pitches in India, alright, but it’s the ridiculously small boundaries that flatter the batter, whose mishits can clear the ropes, while in countries with bigger and longer boundaries these same hits are caught inside the boundary line.”
He suggested that India’s domestic game should better prepare players for major international tournaments by altering boundary dimensions and allowing bowlers to develop more effective methods.
He added: “It’s absolutely imperative, when the new Indian season begins, to get the boundary sizes increased so that our batters get used to that before the World Cup next year. At virtually every ground, there is plenty of space for people to walk behind the LED advertising boards, so it tells you that if this space is utilised, the boundary size will automatically increase. This will also give our spin bowlers the opportunity to bowl a bit slower so that they can get the loop and turn that a slower delivery produces. The medium-pace darters they currently bowl actually help the batter use the pace, get under the ball and power it into the stands. Adil Rashid and Will Jacks bowled almost 8 to 10 km/h slower than the Indian spinners and so were far more effective than them.”
Gavaskar calls for smarter batting decisions
Beyond technical adjustments, Gavaskar stressed that India’s batters must make better decisions under pressure rather than chasing aggressive strokeplay at every opportunity.
He noted: “There is a lot of hard work ahead for the team. A good, honest reflection on what the shortcomings were and how to overcome them is the need of the hour. Shot selection is very important, and here the batter has to rein in his ego and not try to live up to an image, but play the ball on its merits.”
He added that tactical awareness should become a greater priority during innings.
Gavaskar stated: “Above all, it’s necessary to play smart cricket. So, figure out the bowler who doesn’t need to be counter-attacked. Then target the bowlers against whom you can make up for the quiet over from the better bowler.”
Gavaskar also argued that teams should identify periods in an innings where calculated patience can create opportunities later.
He continued: “No team in the world has five top bowlers, and there will always be eight to 12 overs in a T20 game where the runs can be looted. Similarly, in the 50-over format, a little patience won’t hurt even if the team is chasing a big score like 380-plus.”
Higher standards demanded in the field
The former captain also pointed to India’s fielding and tactical execution as areas where immediate improvement is required. Gavaskar emphasised: “Most of all, it’s mandatory that if a player is an average fielder, he has to be shown the door. There is simply no way a captain has to hide three or four players, hoping the ball won’t go anywhere near them. The bowlers also must look at the slow bouncer once again and see how cleverly Sam Curran used the slow, loopy deliveries.”
No panic, but plenty to improve
Despite the disappointing results, Gavaskar stopped short of calling for drastic action, insisting there is still time for India to respond provided the lessons are acted upon.
Gavaskar concluded: “As I said, there’s no need to press the emergency button as yet. However, there’s plenty of honest introspection needed. There also has to be a lot more thought put into the execution of each individual’s speciality if the Indian team is to get back to winning ways.”
The coming months will now provide India with an opportunity to translate that introspection into improved performances as the international calendar gathers pace.
