Former India batter Mohammed Kaif said that uncertainty over selection has slowed the development of India’s Test batters in home conditions under the current team management led by Gautam Gambhir.On Sunday, India’s batting unit struggled on a deteriorating Eden Gardens surface in Kolkata during the first Test against South Africa, which they lost by 30 runs. India selected four spinners — including three all-rounders, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel — and left out specialist No. 3 batter Sai Sudharsan. Sundar batted at No. 3 and showed resistance, but Kaif pointed to instability in selection.
Referring to the situation of Sarfaraz Khan, who has slipped out of the team’s plans, Kaif said on his YouTube channel: “Whichever players are playing, they don’t have a feeling that someone is standing for them. Koi backing nahi hai, sab darr ke khel rahe hain. (There is no backing; everyone is playing with fear.) Sab dar ke khel rahe hain, koi khul ke nahi khel raha (Everyone is playing in fear, nobody is playing with freedom).”“If Sarfaraz Khan’s place is not confirmed after 100 scoring a hundred. Even after scoring 100, he’s not able to make a comeback. Sai Sudharsan scored 87. He doesn’t play the next Test match. I think there is a lot of confusion in this team.”Kaif’s comments came after India’s defeat in the first Test, where they fell short while chasing 124 and were bowled out for 93.The Eden Gardens pitch had uneven bounce and turn from the first day. Neither side crossed 200 in any innings, with bowlers dominating throughout. India had asked for a spin-friendly pitch, but the dry surface made the final-innings chase difficult. India lost the match despite a 30-run lead in the first innings.
