Mohammad Kaif Criticizes Indian Stars For Skipping Domestic Cricket After BGT Loss
The Indian cricket team suffered a humiliating loss of 3-1 against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The main concern for India's loss in the series is the poor performance of batters, especially of some senior players who failed to perform in the series. Australia regained the title for the first time in 10 years by winning the fifth Test by six wickets at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif expressed his disappointment over India's defeat in the recent series. He said that India will earn a lot of praise by beating Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, and then everyone will say that they are champions in white-ball cricket. But the truth is they are white-ball bullies who are lagging far behind. If they want to win WTC, then players have to play domestic cricket on turning tracks and will have to practice on seaming tracks; otherwise, we will not be able to win.
"Truth is that India is white-ball bullies" - Mohammad Kaif
"On 23rd February, India will earn a lot of praise by beating Pakistan (in the Champions Trophy), and everyone will say we are a champion team in white-ball cricket. But if India wants to win the World Test Championship, then we will have to make a test match team and will have to learn to play on seaming tracks. The truth is that we are just white-ball bullies. We are lagging too far behind. If we have to win WTC, then players will have to play domestic cricket on turning tracks and will have to practice on seaming tracks; otherwise, we will not be able to win."
"India needs to work hard in Test cricket" - Mohammad Kaif
Further, he said that India losing the BGT was a wake-up call for them because now they will pay attention to Test cricket. All players get a chance to play in the Ranji Trophy, but some miss it due to work pressure and prefer rest over playing. If they don't play in the Ranji Trophy, then how will they become better players? So if they don't practice and play well, then it's difficult to play on turning tracks in India and tougher to play on seaming tracks in Australia.
"India lost 1-3, and I think this is a wake-up call, because now we have to pay our attention towards Test cricket. It's not just Gautam Gambhir who is at fault. All players get the chance to play in the Ranji Trophy, but it gets tiresome for the players, and they prefer rest over playing in the Ranji Trophy. They don't play Ranji Trophy; they don't play practice matches. Then how will they become better players? It's tough to play on turning tracks in India and tougher to play on seaming tracks in Australia and South Africa. So if you don't practice well, WTC will keep eluding you. What has happened has happened for the good, and now Team India needs to work hard in Test cricket."
Australia won the final Test in Sydney, winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, fixing their spot in the World Test Championship final, where they will be playing with South Africa. The Proteas already qualified for the WTC final, which will be held at Lord's in June.