Former India skipper Anil Kumble has strongly criticized the instability in India’s Test batting lineup, attributing recent disappointing performances against South Africa to the retirements and absences of key batters like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Cheteshwar Pujara. Kumble emphasized that frequent changes in the top order and middle order have unsettled the team, impacting their confidence and ability to build innings steadily at home.

Anil Kumble points to player absence after India’s dismal batting performances

Speaking to JioHotstar, Kumble revealed that over the last few years, the Indian Test top order has undergone too many alterations with four of the five main batters either retired, dropped, or unavailable. These include the retirements of Kohli, Rohit, and Pujara, along with Ajinkya Rahane being out of the squad. Additionally, captain and key batter Shubman Gill has missed matches due to a neck injury.

“The other aspect of also, you know, I want to bring this point about India’s batting. Over the last three or four years, you have seen four batters in the top five either retire or not be picked. You know, if it is, you know, Virat Kohli is retired, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, then you have, of course… Rahane. So four out of five, plus Shubman Gill isn’t in this lineup,” Kumble said.

Kumble highlighted how this constant chopping and changing disrupts the rhythm of players who require a stable run to settle into international cricket. He stressed that young batters need support across six to eight Tests to find their form, rather than facing relentless pressure and frequent exclusion from the lineup.

According to Kumble, this instability has been largely responsible for India’s poor batting efforts and failures to negotiate tough spells from bowlers like South Africa’s Marco Jansenwho exploited India’s lack of patience and application.​

Gautam Gambhir blames batters’ temperament and defends pitch after Kolkata Test

Following India’s 30-run loss to South Africa in the first Test in Kolkata, head coach Gautam Gambhir rejected complaints about the pitch and instead openly criticized the Indian batters’s temperament. He noted that the total India posted in the second innings of 93 was very much chaseable, and attributed the collapse to poor mental strength and inability to build partnerships. Gambhir’s stance contrasts with some viewers’ concerns about the playing conditions, as he asserted the pitch was fair and that more application was required by the batters to weather the challenges. This aligns with the observations made by Kumble on the need for greater patience and grit in the batting approach. Both experts highlighted the collective failure of the Indian batting order under pressure, underscoring how the lack of continuity in selection seems to compound the problem.​

These remarks come as India is on the verge of losing yet another home Test series against South Africa, raising questions about the direction of team selection and player development. The absence of experienced players combined with an inconsistent lineup has clearly led to a fragile batting framework that struggles to withstand quality bowling attacks in crucial moments.