Gavaskar Calls For Domestic-Trained Batters After India’s Collapse on Spin-Friendly Eden Pitch

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has launched a pointed critique of the national team’s selection policy and tactical approach following the humiliating innings-and-59-run defeat to South Africa in the Kolkata Test, urging head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar to prioritise proven domestic performers over international stars unfamiliar with rank turners. In his Sportstar column published on November 20, 2025, Gavaskar argued that the batting collapse—where India failed to post even 150 in either innings on a viciously spinning Eden Gardens pitch—exposed a critical gap: most current players spend the bulk of their time on overseas tours and rarely face crumbling Indian domestic tracks. “The defeat to South Africa will hopefully open the eyes of those who matter to look at the heavy scorers in domestic cricket, who are used to playing on pitches where the ball spins and keeps low,” he wrote, subtly name-dropping consistent Ranji Trophy run-getters Sarfaraz Khan and Karun Nair, both of whom have been repeatedly overlooked despite stellar first-class records.

Gavaskar’s intervention comes at a tense juncture for Gambhir, whose first home series as head coach has begun with a 0-1 deficit after the Proteas chased 180 for victory in just 31.1 overs. The former opener-turned-coach has faced mounting criticism for persisting with an ultra-attacking “Bazball-esque” template even on treacherous surfaces and for backing part-time spinners Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy instead of specialist options. Gavaskar directly addressed the all-rounder debate, stating that India must distinguish between genuine Test all-rounders—who would walk into the XI as either batter or bowler—and limited-overs utility players. “A player who only offers a few overs or a few runs is not what Test cricket demands,” he stressed, adding that selecting such bits-and-pieces cricketers might offer short-term balance but undermines long-term depth.

The Little Master also delivered a broader philosophical reminder about Test-match temperament: “Test batting demands patience and, more importantly, the willingness to leave your ego in the changing room. It does not matter if you get beaten and rapped on the leg guards. You do not have to try and tonk the ball out of the ground to show who is the boss.” His words appear aimed at senior stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli—both dismissed for playing aggressive shots against spin—as well as younger players like Shubman Gill (ruled out of the second Test with a thumb injury) and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who have been shaped predominantly by white-ball cricket and foreign conditions.

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With India scheduled to play only one more home Test for over a year after the ongoing South Africa series, Gavaskar warned that failure to recalibrate now could cost another shot at the World Test Championship final, which the team missed in June 2025 after finishing outside the top two. Domestic giants Sarfaraz (averaging 68.21 in first-class cricket with three triple-centuries) and Karun Nair (the only Indian after Virender Sehwag to score a Test triple-hundred) are widely seen as the immediate beneficiaries if the selectors heed the call, especially with Gill sidelined and question marks over KL Rahul’s form on turning tracks.

As the team regroups for the second Test in Pune starting November 28, pressure is squarely on Gambhir and Agarkar to either defend their aggressive blueprint or signal a tactical rethink. On X, #BringBackSarfaraz trended within hours of Gavaskar’s column, reflecting growing fan frustration and amplifying the 74-year-old icon’s influence as Indian cricket searches for answers on home soil once again.

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