Former India cricketer and 1983 World Cup winner Madan Lal heavily criticized Indian team management after the Indian team lost the second Test in Pune to New Zealand. This also meant that New Zealand won the Test series, taking a 2-0 lead in the three-Test series.
India’s streak of 18 consecutive Test series wins and not losing a Test series at home since 2012 was also broken under Rohit Sharma's captaincy and the guidance of coach Gautam Gambhir.
Following India's dismal defeat to New Zealand, former India cricketer Madan Lal provided a forthright assessment of the team's performance, noting significant aspects contributing to the loss, such as the relevance of home conditions and the necessity for a stronger showing from the top order.
"At home, we usually win series because the conditions favor us. The pitches suit our style; we are accustomed to batting and playing here. We are more familiar with the weather and climate. Given all these factors, India generally has the upper hand.
We have ourselves to blame. There was no point in making such a pitch. I don't know who asked for this wicket - whether it was the team management's decision or someone else's,” Madan Lal told ANI.
He went on to emphasize the strength of India's bowling line-up, stating, "You have a solid team with a strong pace attack and the best spin attack. Yet, we created these pitches and fell into our own trap. On good wickets, we would have certainly won the Test match."
Lal also mentioned the disappointing batting performance, particularly from the top order.
"Another reason is that we didn't bat well enough. Our top order didn't perform. When our batters in the top five or six positions perform, we tend to win the Test match. We always have options in bowling because the conditions suit us,” he added.
He acknowledged the public's expectations of the players, noting that scrutiny intensifies when the team underperforms.
Madan Lal said: "I wouldn't say too much, but people are going to comment when you don't perform. There's no doubt about that. The same people who praise you when you score will criticize you when you're out of form. Their lack of performance affected the team."
He praised the performances of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravindra Jadeja.
"Youngsters like Jaiswal scored runs, and Ravindra Jadeja also contributed. But you can't win with one or two batters alone. The top order needs to deliver more consistently for us to succeed as a unit,” Lal signed off.
(ANI inputs)
