Frustration Peaks as Ravi Shastri Tears Into India’s Batting Order After Test Collapse

Former India captain and ex-head coach Ravi Shastri unleashed a scathing critique of the team's batting order and selection decisions during India's dismal first innings in the second Test against South Africa at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, describing the strategy as utterly baffling and lacking any coherent thought process. On commentary for the Star Sports network, Shastri highlighted the demotion of Washington Sundar to number 8 after the all-rounder had been promoted to number 3 in the series opener in Kolkata, following the recall of Sai Sudharsan to the playing XI. "No, absolutely not. It makes no sense. I don't understand the thought process there," Shastri remarked, emphasizing that Sundar, with his proven batting ability, is "way better than a number 8" and could have slotted in at number 4 to bolster the middle order.

The criticism intensified as India, resuming at 9 for no loss on Day 3, suffered a catastrophic collapse, slumping from 102 for 4 at tea to 122 for 7 before a gritty 72-run eighth-wicket stand between Sundar (48 off 92) and Kuldeep Yadav (19 off 134) dragged them to 201 all out. Shastri pointed to broader tactical missteps under head coach Gautam Gambhir's early tenure, including the bizarre use of four spinners in the Kolkata Test, where one bowler was given just a single over. "When they look back at this series, some of the selections... I'm still trying to figure out the thought process there. Ideally, you should have gone in with a specialist batter," he added, underscoring how such experimentation has contributed to the team's instability. South Africa's Marco Jansen starred with career-best figures of 6 for 48, supported by Simon Harmer's 3 for 64, as the Proteas claimed a commanding 288-run first-innings lead after posting 489.

Shastri also lambasted the overall batting effort as "very ordinary," rejecting any excuses about the pitch conditions. "That is very ordinary batting... You have to put your hands up and say that's very ordinary batting," he said, noting that the Barsapara surface offered no excessive seam or spin to justify a scoreline of 122 for 7 or 142 for 7 at one stage. Former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock echoed the sentiment on air, calling the dismissals "very soft" and unrelated to brilliant bowling, a view Shastri endorsed while stressing the lack of application from the top order. Key failures included KL Rahul (22), Sudharsan (15), Rishabh Pant (7), Ravindra Jadeja (6), and Nitish Reddy (10), with only Yashasvi Jaiswal's 58 providing fleeting resistance.

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Opting against the follow-on, South Africa batted again and reached 26 without loss in eight overs by stumps, extending their overall lead to 314 runs with Aiden Markram (12 not out) and Ryan Rickelton (13 not out) unbeaten. This positions the Proteas—already 1-0 up after a thrilling 30-run win in Kolkata—for a potential series-clinching victory and their first Test series triumph in India since 2000-01. Shastri's outburst reflects mounting frustration with India's transitional phase in the World Test Championship, where frequent reshuffles at number 3—previously featuring Karun Nair and Sudharsan during the England tour—have yielded inconsistency rather than stability.

As Day 4 unfolds, India faces an improbable chase or survival bid on a track showing increasing wear, with Gambhir's experimental approach under the microscope. Shastri's comments, amplified across social media and punditry circles, have fueled calls for a return to specialist batsmen and clearer roles, echoing broader concerns about the post-Rohit Sharma, post-Virat Kohli era's growing pains. With a potential home series whitewash looming—the second in 12 months after New Zealand's 2024 sweep—the pressure intensifies on Pant's leadership and the selectors to restore batting solidity ahead of tougher assignments like the 2026-27 Australia tour.

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