"Why major technical issues have remained unresolved" - Former India batter calls out India's batting coach after collapse in BGT 2024-25 3rd Test
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar was left unpleased with the Indian batters' persisting technical woes after yet another collapse. The Men in Blue slumped to 44-4 in the first innings of the third Border-Gavaskar series Test at The Gabba in Brisbane, with nearly the entire batting unit back in the pavilion already.
Team India yet again had no answers to the Australian new ball attack as they fell in a heap. The same old woes were on show as the top-order failed to show grit to survive the testing phase, and perished to questionable flashy strokes.
Barring KL Rahul, no Indian batter has reached double figures, as of the writing. While Rahul has shown the right template and discipline to score 30 runs off 52 deliveries, the second-highest scorer was Rishabh Pant with nine runs.
Sanjay Manjrekar questioned the work put in by the batting coach because of the nature of the dismissals and the pattern that is being repeated over and over again.
"I guess the time has come to scrutinise the role of a batting coach in the Indian team. Why major technical issues have remained unresolved for so long with certain Indian batters," Manjrekar wrote on X.
The Indian squad had Vikram Rathour as batting coach for a long time. He was part of both Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid's support staff. Following his departure, head coach Gautam Gambhir brought in Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate as assistant coaches to work with the team.
India have failed to cross the 200-run mark in three out of the four completed innings in BGT 2024-25
The Men in Blue's tour began on an alarming note as they were skittled out for 150 on the opening day in Perth. After making the most of the eased-up conditions in the second innings, India's batting frailties were exposed again in the next Test.
At the Adelaide Oval against the pink ball, India were bowled out for 180 and 175 in the first and the second innings, respectively, to lose the contest by 10 wickets.
As things stand in Brisbane, Tea has been called due to yet another rain interruption. The score reads 48-4 after skipper Rohit Sharma joined KL Rahul at the crease.