"Why can’t today’s players show half that attitude?"- Ex-pacer recalls Sachin Tendulkar’s preparations after India’s loss in IND vs SA 2025 1st Test

Former India fast bowler Balwinder Singh Sandhu recalled how Sachin Tendulkar prepared for the 1990 England tour, urging the current crop of players to take a cue. Sandhu's comments came after India's defeat to South Africa in the Kolkata Test.

The Asian giants went down by 30 runs in the first of the two-Test series after failing to chase 124 in the fourth innings. While the pitch has come into focus, the Indian batters are facing criticism for playing recklessly and not trusting their defenses as well.

Writing in his column for Mid-day, Sandhu remembered Tendulkar's hunger to succeed on the 1990 England tour, revealing that he faced fast bowlers on a grassy and bouncy surface to prepare for the series. He wrote:

"Losing to South Africa’s two spinners while chasing only 120 on the third day is beyond shocking. To me, the moment batsmen see close-in fielders, the pressure gets to them. They’re not used to that intensity anymore because T20 cricket doesn’t challenge your defence the same way. Add to that, the fact that many players hardly play domestic cricket now, and you lose the toughness that only those difficult pitches teach.

"I remember how the greats prepared. Before the 1990 England tour, Sachin Tendulkar called me to the RCF ground because the pitch had grass and bounce. I brought seven or eight pacers. He batted for two hours every single day. That’s hunger. That’s preparation. Why can’t today’s players show even half that attitude?"

Notably, both sides failed to reach a score of 200 in the Kolkata Test. Although the home side took a 30-run lead after bowling the Proteas out for 159 in the first innings, visiting captain Temba Bavuma struck a gritty 55 in the second to drag their lead to 123. It was also the only half-century of the match.

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"Are we not learning from past mistakes?" - Balwinder Sandhu recalls India's series defeat to New Zealand

Gautam Gambhir has been facing criticism. (Credits: Getty)

Sandhu also slammed India's coaching staff for not understanding the team's strengths and weaknesses well, adding:

"And are we not learning from past mistakes? New Zealand thrashed us in our own backyard not long ago. Yet we repeat the same errors. It clearly shows a poor understanding of our current players’ abilities. For a head coach and batting coach, that’s unacceptable. Being a coach myself, I feel any coach, who has been around for years, should know his team’s strengths, weaknesses, and mindset inside out. We still don’t know who is ready to step into the shoes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who, I feel, were moved out too quickly. Youngsters should be groomed around seniors, not at the cost of them."

India could be without Shubman Gill for the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati. The Indian captain picked up a neck spasm in Kolkata and is doubtful for the second Test.