Former Indian player Mohammed Kaif slammed the national side following their 1-3 Test series loss to Australia on Day 3 of the fifth and final Test at the SCG, Sydney, on Sunday (Jan 5). Setting a 162-run target for the hosts, India suffered a six-wicket loss to concede a 3-1 lead to Pat Cummins & Co. and lose the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) for the first time since 2017. Kaif regarded the team as 'white-ball bullies' and lashed out at them for missing domestic cricket.

Advertisment

'If we have to win WTC, then players will have to play domestic cricket'

Kaif said in a video posted on his social media page, "On 23rd February India will earn a lot of praise by beating Pakistan (in Champions Trophy) and everyone will say we are a champion team in white-ball cricket. But if India want to team the World Test Championship then we will have to make a Test match team, 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, will have to practice on seaming tracks, otherwise we will not be able to win."

Also read: Jasprit Bumrah to be Rohit’s deputy in Champions Trophy 2025 – Report

Kaif added, "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 Ranji Trophy, but it gets tiresome for the players and they prefer rest over playing 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, it has happened for the good and now Team India needs to work hard in Test cricket."

In the last 10 Tests, India have lost six and won only three (with two against Bangladesh at home). Rohit Sharma-led side were whitewashed by New Zealand in a three-match series at home before conceding the BGT to Australia.

At present, their focus will shift to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 edition, which kicks off next month in Pakistan and the UAE. India's next Test assignment is a five-match Test series versus England in England. It will be interesting to see what all changes India makes in the red-ball side by then.