NEW DELHI: The Indian team on Sunday succumbed to an unprecedented 3-0 series defeat at home against New Zealand as batters faltered yet again, this time, in a tricky 147 chase in Mumbai.
While only three batters managed double-digit scores, stars Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and young guns Shubman Gill and Sarfaraz Khan failed miserably.
Going through a run rut, Kohli had scored 4 in the first innings of the Mumbai Test and was dismissed for a lowly 1 in the second essay, contributing massively in India’s loss.
Former Australian captain Ian Chappell has reasoned Kohli’s indecisive footwork for his poor form.
“Star batter Virat Kohli’s first-innings dismissal was the perfect example of India’s lack of decisive footwork. Kohli was clean bowled by a delivery from Santner that if the batter had taken even a small pace out of his crease he could have hit on the full. However, instead of Kohli’s lack of decisive footwork being the culprit, his shot selection was questioned,” Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo.
India’s poor footwork against spin allowed New Zealand to exploit a turning pitch that appeared to baffle the home side.
Chappell highlighted how, in past seasons, Indian batsmen excelled on challenging surfaces due to precise footwork, a skill that allowed them to dominate at home.
However, as Kohli, Rohit and others failed to adapt to New Zealand’s bowling attack, the lack of front-foot commitment became painfully clear.
The shocking series whitewash also underscored a worrying trend for India’s aging batting core. Kohli and Rohit, long considered pillars of India’s success, struggled throughout the season.
Rohit managed only 133 runs in five matches, averaging a disappointing 13.3, while Kohli fared slightly better with 192 runs at 21.3.
The figures reflect a significant dip in form, particularly troubling with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia fast approaching.
Chappell’s comments echoed a larger concern: India’s Test batting lineup may be facing an inevitable transition.
For Kohli, who turns 36 next week, the upcoming Australia tour could be a defining moment for his Test career.
