India’s senior players have come under severe criticism after the team’s first-ever 0-3 Test whitewash on home soil.
The Rohit Sharma-led side lost the Test matches against New Zealand in Bengaluru, Pune and Mumbai. This outcome also marked the end of their remarkable streak of 18 consecutive home Test series victories.
India’s embarrassing display has sparked strong reactions from their fans and former players, with many calling for wholesale changes in the side.
Amid the scrutiny, former wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has said that demanding retirement of seniors like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja after just a series loss is a knee-jerk reaction and urged fans to remain patient.
"What is the hurry boss? One bad series and already calling for the heads. I don't think so. I think, if they don't do well in the next 10 Test matches, then we will come back to this question and then it becomes a fair question, considering its going to be another domestic season. For the moment, I don't think we need to group anyone anywhere," Karthik said while responding to a query on Cricbuzz on grouping Ashwin and Jadeja with Rohit and Kohli in calls for retirement.
Karthik acknowledged that India were poor in all facets of the game against the Kiwis. He particularly highlighted the struggles of Indian batters against spin in recent times.
"A bit of everything. Our bowling was not up to the mark. Our spinners, especially the experienced ones, didn't gave a great series. Batting, without a doubt, we lack in ability to play spin. The defence game overall around the world has definitely decreased because of the white-ball formats that goes without saying but the Indian players have struggled to cope against spin," he remarked.
India’s next assignment is the tour of Australia. The two teams are slated to square off in a five-match Test series for the first time in over three decades.
The marquee series is slated to get underway on November 22 in Perth and the action will then shift to Adelaide (December 6-10), where both teams will face each other in a Day-Night Test. The last three Tests are set to take place in Brisbane (December 14-18), Melbourne (December 26-30), and Sydney (January 3-7).
