A game of graft: Time India learn the art of survival in Test cricket

93 all out at home didn’t happen overnight and introspection is the need of the hour

- Somshuvra Laha

Every cricket pundithas had something to say about India’s batting implosion at Eden Gardens but let’s go with Kevin Pietersen, one of the earliest innovators of Test batting who also averaged a cool 43 in India. “Just hear me out here: Seeing the wicket first and then the scores and then the result in Kolkata, it can only be put down to batters’ modern day techniques,” Pietersen wrote on X. “Batters grow up now to hit sixes and play switch-hits. They don’t grow up to build an innings and learn the art of survival. This is fact, as I know what's being taught and I'm a part of player discussions.”

This matter-of-fact commentary shouldn't come as a shock. Ranji Trophy excellence doesn't merit selection these days, and Test specialists aren’t fashionable anymore. 93 all out at home, thus, didn’t exactly happen overnight.

It'san unavoidable response to bad habits and its compulsive continuation under the veil of denial and ignorance. And it's not as if India weren't alerted to its possibility. Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar bowling England toa 2:1 victory in 2012 wasn’t as much a series winas it was a guiding beacon to other teams seeking a way to breach India’s defences.

Pune 2017 (vs Australia), Chennai 2021 (England), Indore 2023 (Australia) and Hyderabad 2024 (England) may have been isolated defeats but it was only a matter of time before a visiting team could string them in succession.