Sanjay Manjrekar Critiques India's Batting Collapse After Series Defeat

India's dreams of avoiding a historic 0-3 whitewash at home came crashing down on Day 3 of the third Test against New Zealand, with the team suffering a dismal collapse that saw them lose five wickets for just 29 runs. Chasing a target of 147, India's top-order faltered as key players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Sarfaraz Khan all fell cheaply, leaving fans and analysts alike in disbelief. Only Rishabh Pant managed to make any significant contribution, but it was not enough to prevent the defeat.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar did not hold back in his criticism, comparing the batting performance to some of India's worst displays in recent history, specifically referencing their infamous all-out scores of 36 and 46. Manjrekar tweeted, "That Sarfaraz Khan shot finishes off so far, one of the worst batting displays by India. This is worse than 36 & 46 all out."

The match concluded with New Zealand becoming the first visiting team to achieve a 3-0 Test series win in India, a feat that New Zealand captain Tom Latham celebrated as a "massive achievement." The series began poorly for India, who suffered an eight-wicket defeat in the first Test in Bengaluru, and though they aimed to rebound in Pune, they ultimately lost that match by 113 runs.

In the final Test, spinners Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips wreaked havoc on the Indian batting lineup, securing a 25-run victory for New Zealand. Latham reflected on the team's preparation, explaining how they adapted to the conditions prior to the series. He mentioned that the Kiwis would take the time to celebrate their historic victory together before returning home.

This defeat has sparked intense scrutiny over India’s batting techniques and strategies, particularly in dealing with spin bowling, highlighting the need for a thorough evaluation as they look forward to upcoming series.