India’s red-ball batting is in a rut, and the criticism is no longer sugar-coated. Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has delivered one of the more direct assessments in recent weeks, arguing that India’s defensive technique — traditionally the backbone of their Test success — has “become the last priority”. His point isn’t an isolated jab; it reflects a wider pattern that has been building for several seasons, exposed brutally in high-pressure overseas conditions and now even at home.
The warning comes at a moment when India’s batting, once viewed as stable and technically robust, has started to show cracks across formats. In red-ball cricket especially, the margin for error is unforgiving. Batters who rely too heavily on flowing drives and T20 habits tend to get found out quickly when the ball seams, swings, or holds up on turning tracks. India’s recent collapses — including multiple failures under 200 — have amplified the concern. The team’s tendency to get stuck between defence and attack has produced hesitation, poor judgment outside off stump, and inconsistent footwork.
Manjrekar’s argument essentially calls out a structural issue: India’s reliance on aggressive intent without the technical foundation that Test cricket demands. The modern Indian batter has grown up in an era dominated by IPL strokes, white-ball scoring rates, and short-format muscle memory. This has sharpened shot-making but dulled patience. Defence, once considered a badge of Test pedigree, now appears underdeveloped compared to previous generations. India’s greats — Dravid, Laxman, Tendulkar — built their dominance on sheer discipline and sound technique, weathering hostile spells and adapting their methods session by session. The current group seems more eager to break pressure through strokeplay rather than absorb it.
This mentality has left India vulnerable against disciplined pace attacks that maintain tight channels. Even at home, where spinners usually dominate, collapses have become more frequent. Players seem uncomfortable trusting their defence for long periods, and when the scoring dries up, panic sets in. The gap between skill and situation awareness becomes painfully visible.
What makes this decline more concerning is the absence of a clear long-term fix. India’s domestic cricket is full of talent, but many young batters prioritize limited-overs formats because that’s where the visibility and financial reward lie. Red-ball specialists are shrinking in number, and those who reach the national setup often need remedial work on defensive technique and temperament.
Manjrekar’s blunt critique might sound harsh, but the underlying message is accurate: India cannot reclaim Test dominance unless its batters relearn the fundamentals — soft hands, leaves, absorbing pressure, and building long innings. If the slide continues, India risks losing its home fortress advantage and becoming increasingly inconsistent abroad.
The warning shouldn’t be dismissed as commentary fluff. It’s a reality check. India has the talent, but without rebuilding the foundations of red-ball batting, the team will struggle to win high-quality Test series in the coming years. This is a pivotal moment, and whether India responds with genuine technical reinvestment will shape their next era of Test cricket.
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