Tendulkar calls for introspection, Sehwag says 'upgrade against spin' after unprecedented defeat
Mumbai, Nov 3: India's former cricketers fell into stunned silence in the immediate aftermath of the unmitigated disaster against New Zealand here on Sunday. But once they have gathered their thoughts, they pulled no punches while reviewing the team's debacle.
The likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh called for "introspection", urged the team management to stop "needless experimentation" in the Test format and start playing on better pitches.
India faced a humiliating 0-3 whitewash at home for the first time ever after suffering a 25-run defeat in the third Test against a New Zealand side that arrived here on the back of a 0-2 loss to Sri Lanka.
"Losing 3-0 at home is a tough pill to swallow, and it calls for introspection. Was it lack of preparation, was it poor shot selection, or was it lack of match practice?" Tendulkar posted on X.
Set a target of 147 on a crumbling Wankhede pitch, India lasted just 29.1 overs to be bowled out for 121, making it the lowest target to be successfully defended against them at home.
Rishabh Pant (64), who struck fifties in both the innings, was the only batter to show some fight, while Shubman Gill (90) was the top-scorer in India's first innings.
"@ShubmanGill showed resilience in the first innings, and @RishabhPant17 was brilliant in both innings -- his footwork made a challenging surface look like a different one altogether. He was simply superb," Tendulkar noted.
Terming it a terrible show by Rohit Sharma's team, former India opener Sehwag wrote on Instagram: "While as supporters it's imperative to support the team but this has been a terrible performance from our team.
"The skill to play spin certainly needs an upgrade and certain experimentations are good for the shorter format but in Test cricket doing some needless experimentations just for the sake of it was indeed poor.
"Congratulations to Tom Latham and his @blackcapsnz boys on doing what is a dream for every visiting team and no other could conquer in this way."
The crushing blow not only toppled India from the top of the World Test Championship standings but also exposed severe cracks in their batting against spin as New Zealand tweakers grabbed 37 out of 57 Indian wickets.
Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santer with 13 wickets was the wrecker-in-chief in the second Test in Pune, and in his absence in Mumbai following a side strain, Ajaz Patel led the charge with an extraordinary 11-wicket match haul.
Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said on these kind of pitches "anyone can get anyone out" and teams don't need legends like Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, or Saqlain Mushtaq to take wickets.
"Turning pitches becoming ur own enemy #INDvsNZTEST Congratulations NZ you outplayed us. Been saying from many years. Team India needs to play on better pitches. These turning pitches making every batsman look very ordinary," Harbhajan wrote on X.
"Earlier generations batsmen never played on these kind of tracks. These tracks are prepared for 2/3 day Test matches. You don't need Murli, Warne or Saqi on these pitches to get the teams out. Anyone can get anyone out."
Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan highlighted the lack of red-ball cricket for the senior India batters as one of the reasons for the debacle.
"This is embarrassing display by team India at home. Lot to ponder over by the decision makers. Well done New Zealand on such a terrific performance.
"Had a solid conversation with @iamyusufpathan bhai yesterday. He made a valid point about domestic cricket – we're either playing on grassy pitches or flat tracks, but rarely on turning surfaces anymore. Plus, top players aren't playing domestic cricket. This could hurt us in the long run."
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar added, "And with that we come to the end of a long phase of rank turners in India."
Reactions also came from overseas with former England captain Michael Vaughan saying the Indian batters now struggle like most teams against spin.
"To win in India is incredible but to deliver a clean sweep is remarkable... has to be the greatest ever Test series victory. India now have a group of batters that struggle like most teams against spin...," Vaughan wrote.
Former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop posted: "Amazing from New Zealand. A population of less than 6 million. No Kane Williamson. They have conquered an unenviable task, and both men's and women's teams have had an historic and proud few weeks."
The win was doubly special for New Zealand who had landed on Indian shores after suffering a 0-2 whitewash in Sri Lanka.
"A once in a lifetime kind of win for New Zealand! From being whitewashed in Sri Lanka to whitewashing India, just WOW. What a turnaround by the Kiwis! A historic moment in New Zealand cricket history!" former Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga wrote.
Former New Zealand left-arm pacer Mitchell McClenaghan wrote: "Arguably @BLACKCAPS best win of all time. Unbelievable."
"Great series win for New Zealand, incredible performance! India will go to Australia with a massive point to prove!" pointed out former coach Mickey Arthur.
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Karnataka cabinet approves formation of separate Dharwad Municipal Corporation
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a formation of separate Dharwad city corporation. Alongside, a 15% hike in fares across the four state transport corporations was also approved. The revised fares will come into effect on January 5.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil, addressing the media at the Committee Hall of Vidhana Soudha, provided details about the decision. He explained that the last fare revision for BMTC was a decade ago when diesel cost Rs 60.98 per litre. Since then, operational costs have risen significantly.
Diesel expenditure for the four corporations has increased from Rs 9.16 crore to Rs 13.21 crore, and personnel costs have grown from Rs 12.85 crore to Rs 18.36 crore. The daily operational burden now stands at Rs 9.56 crore. The fare hike is expected to generate an additional Rs 74.85 crore in monthly revenue without burdening the state exchequer, as Rs 5,015 crore has already been allocated for the Shakti Yojana this fiscal year.
Minister Patil announced that the Cabinet has decided to bifurcate the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation into two independent municipal bodies.
The Cabinet approved the construction of a fishing port in Hejamady village, Udupi, with a revised estimate of Rs 209.13 crore. Additionally, Rs 84.57 crore has been sanctioned for the modernization and dredging of fishing ports.
In a move to strengthen cow shelters, Rs 10.50 crore has been allocated for projects in 14 districts. The Cabinet also approved constructing a building for Visvesvaraya Technical University in Chikkaballapur district at Rs 149.75 crore.
The Cabinet sanctioned a state-of-the-art bus stand in Bannimantap, Mysuru, at a cost of Rs 120 crore. Spread over 14 acres, the facility will include a divisional office, bus units, and commercial shops.
Approval was also granted to utilize Rs 137.85 crore, provided by the Union Finance Ministry under the Special Capital Assistance Scheme, for capital expenditure.
The Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board will use Rs 56.92 crore from its SCP/TSP scheme to supply bed sheets, mosquito nets, and clothing to government residential schools and hostels.
The Cabinet approved Rs 100 crore to construct new buildings for 200 veterinary institutions currently housed in rented or dilapidated structures, using NABARD assistance.
In Davangere, a site was allotted to the Karnataka Working Journalists' Association for constructing a civic facility. A plot in Avaragere village was also leased for 30 years at a concessional rate to Nayaka Vidyarthi Nilaya.
