“What kind of wicket should you be given then?” - Former India captain blasts performance in IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test

Former India captain Kris Srikkanth blasted the poor batting performance from the hosts in the ongoing second Test against South Africa. The Proteas posted a solid total of 489 in the first innings. They then bundled India out for just 201 runs.

Srikkanth expressed his disappointment and questioned how the Indian batters could not score on the wicket in Guwahati. The hosts collapsed from 95/1 to 201 all out. He highlighted that the team struggled to bat on a turning wicket in Kolkata in the first Test and failed with the bat here in Guwahati as well. Therefore, he questioned what kind of surface should be given to them to perform better.

The former captain also criticised the changes in the batting order and the selection policy.

"I dont understand what is happening. Kuldeep told the wicket was like a road. You are losing wickets to Harmer, losing wickets to bouncers. It is not a deadly wicket but you are getting out to bouncers. You don't have answers to basic short bowling. What kind of wicket should you be given then? 201 all out? I don't understand the logic with the batting order too. Sundar played as a batter in one Test and now you send him down. One side you say we can field three teams, one side you say transition, one side I don't understand the selection policy," he said on his YouTube channel.

Srikkanth also questioned the tactics of the Indian bowlers. South Africa were reduced to 246/6 at one stage but managed to get to 489 eventually. Senuran Muthusamy scored a century while Marco Jansen made 93. He called out the pacers for not trying the short ball to Jansen and criticised the team for being unable to clean them up.

"I am very surprised. You have so many coaches, assistant coaches, analysts and all that. You did not bowl a short ball to Jansen? Did anyone try a bouncer to him? I did not understand that. He made the bowling look ordinary. How did they score 489? On turning wickets you can't bat. On this road you can't pick wickets. What kind of pitch should be given to you then?" he added.

India are on the verge of another series defeat at home. South Africa ended the third day in a commanding position with a lead of 314 runs.

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Kris Srikkanth blasts Indian team management for wrong selection and approach

Kris Srikkanth even blasted the Indian team management for their selection policies, making constant changes, and going with the wrong approach. He questioned why Axar Patel was dropped for the second Test.

"How can you lose to a side like this? There is no Rabada, there are no main bowlers. Only Jansen is there. The problem is wrong selection policies and approach from the team management. Axar has been consistent. Why is he not there in the team? Was he unfit for this Test match? Every other person is playing now, trial and error, all that," he said.

Moreover, he even called out head coach Gautam Gambhir and urged the need for consistency in planning.

"Gautam can tell whatever he wants really. I don't care. I have been a former captain and a former chairman, I know what I am talking. I am not talking just through my hat. You can't do this. You need a consistent plan."

India have already lost four out of their six home Tests under Gambhir. The coach and the team have been under pressure for being unable to deliver at home.