Follow UsFormer India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has sounded a serious alarm about the Test team under head coach Gautam Gambhir, claiming there is pervasive insecurity among the batters. Kaif, whose comments came on his YouTube channel after India's embarrassing loss in Kolkata, said that this lack of confidence in their places is hampering their performances, especially in home Tests. He pointed to recent selection decisions as evidence.
“Whichever players are playing, they don’t have a feeling that someone is standing for them. There's no backing, and everyone is playing in fear. No one's playing with full freedom,” Kaif said, as quoted by The Indian Express
Kaif specifically criticised how Sarfaraz Khan, despite scoring a hundred, has not been re-established in the squad. “If Sarfaraz Khan’s place is not confirmed after 100 scoring a hundred. Even after scoring 100, he’s not able to make a comeback.”
He also referred to Sai Sudharsan, who made 87 in a match but was still dropped.
“Sai Sudharsan scored 87. He doesn't play the next Test match. … I think there is a lot of confusion in this team,” he said.
Kaif argued that the insecurity has weakened players' self-belief, especially on turning tracks.
“Players have lost self-belief and insecurity has crept in. When there is insecurity and you come to play at turning tracks, you won’t be able to do well.”
He praised Washington Sundar for his composure, explaining that Sundar’s background helped him.
“Why did Sundar play well? He comes from Chennai. He has grown by playing on turning tracks. He knows how to use his feet … How to keep the bottom hand.
“Sai Sudharsan also comes from Chennai. If he were there at No. 3 and Sundar at No. 8, you would have won this Test match. … He plays spin very well. … He’s in form and scored 87. He’s not there in the playing XI.”
The second Test will now be played in Guwahati from November 22.