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NEW DELHI: Former England captain Kevin Pietersen shared subtle yet pointed advice for Team India batters through a cryptic tweet that seemed targeted at Team India’s top-order batters.
Although he refrained from naming players, the context of his message strongly implied that it was directed toward India’s top-order batters, who struggled during the pink-ball Test against Australia in Adelaide.
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“If you’re looking to leave more than you’re looking to play the ball in Tests, you’re in trouble,” Pietersen tweeted on X (formerly Twitter).
This comment likely alludes to the indecisiveness displayed by Indian top batters, including Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, during their dismissals in the first innings.
Both batters appeared uncertain whether to defend or leave deliveries, a lapse in judgment that contributed to India’s collapse for just 180 runs in 44.1 overs.
KL Rahul, who scored 37 off 64 balls, showed initial resilience but eventually fell prey to Mitchell Starc while trying to navigate the tricky conditions.
Virat Kohli, too, fell victim to six-fer hero Starc, managing only seven runs before edging a ball to Steve Smith at slip.
Pietersen’s advice identifies the importance of intent and clarity when facing high-quality bowling, especially under challenging conditions like those presented by the pink ball.
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India’s first innings was characterized by inconsistent shot selection and wavering decision-making, as reflected in the fall of wickets.
Besides Rahul and Kohli, notable contributions were few, with Nitish Reddy’s 42 being the lone bright spot in an otherwise lacklustre performance.
Australia’s pacers, led by Starc (6/42), exploited India’s vulnerabilities with clinical precision.
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