Kapil Dev’s advice to struggling India batters: Go back to basics and practise more

Former India captain Kapil Dev has advised India’s struggling batters to return to basics and increase their practice sessions ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. With India needing a series victory to secure their place in the World Test Championship final, the upcoming series has taken on a must-win status, adding further pressure on the team to perform.

The Rohit Sharma-led side comes into the Australia tour following a disappointing 3-0 home Test series loss to New Zealand, a result that exposed the shortcomings in India’s batting lineup. The team’s senior batters, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, had a challenging series against New Zealand, with low-scoring innings that left the batting unit struggling for momentum. In a recent interview with CricketNext, Kapil Dev emphasised that the Indian batters need to refine their fundamentals and dedicate more time to practice to regain their form ahead of the high-stakes series.

“Go back to the basics. Practice and practice and practice. If you say I will improve by sitting in the room, then it is not going to happen. If you are going through a rough time, just practice more. The more you practice, the better it will be for you,” Kapil Dev said.

Kapil Dev highlighted the experience of both Rohit and Kohli, who have substantial experience playing in Australian conditions. However, their recent form slump and inconsistency, combined with other batters’ struggles, has become a significant point of concern for the Indian team. Dev believes that returning to a focus on basics could restore the confidence needed to tackle Australia’s formidable bowling attack.

With the first Test set to begin on November 22 in Perth, anticipation is high as fans and analysts alike await to see how India’s batting unit responds to the Australian challenge. The series will not only test individual performances but also determine India’s World Test Championship future. Dev’s comments reflect the need for the team to sharpen their technique and mindset, especially considering Australia’s strong bowling lineup, led by Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, and the challenging conditions at venues like Perth and Adelaide.

As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches, the pressure on India’s batters to perform and meet the expectations of a demanding series is palpable. For the team, this is an opportunity to regroup, refine their approach, and make a strong statement in one of cricket’s most iconic rivalries.