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Brad Haddin criticises India’s Test tactics under Gambhir, contrasting them with Virat Kohli’s era and highlighting struggles at Eden Gardens.
Gautam Gambhir
Former Australian cricketer Brad Haddin has said that when Virat Kohli took over as the Test captain, India used to bat long and put scorecard pressure on the opposition, but the current team is putting everything to chance, as he became the latest pundit to take a dig at India’s shambolic performance at the Eden Gardens.
Gambhir acknowledged that the team management had requested a turning track, but the strategy fell apart as India fielded four spinners and still could not force a result. With four Test losses under his tenure, including a rare home series defeat to New Zealand, the pressure has mounted, raising serious doubts about his future in the red-ball setup.
Haddin did not mince words while dissecting India’s Test struggles, aiming for both their batting approach and the team management’s decisions. He argued that India’s current tactics are creating unnecessary risks and making even average spinners look threatening, a sharp contrast to the standards set during the Kohli era.
“When Virat Kohli took over as captain back then, they batted long and put scoreboard pressure. They are leaving too much to chance. It brings ordinary spinners into the game,” Haddin said while speaking on The Willow Talk Cricket Podcast.
“You just have people who can throw the ball and the wicket will do the rest. I heard that Gambhir came out and said that we are happy with the surface we are playing on. This cost them against New Zealand as well,” Haddin added.
The former Australian cricketer offered a blunt critique of India’s recent methods under Gambhir, questioning their dependence on rank turners and the toll it has taken on a once-formidable batting unit.
Haddin pointed out how the team has drifted away from its traditional strengths.
“They have done it twice now under Gambhir. They play their best cricket when it’s not about turning wickets but building scoreboard pressure with their runs. They have taken their world-class batters out of the game,” Haddin said.
November 17, 2025, 17:55 IST
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