'Senior players need to step up' - Irfan Pathan urges star Indian players to rescue team from slipping in Test cricket

Home side India were outplayed in the second Test at the MCA Stadium in Pune, as New Zealand won the game on Day 3 by 113 runs. The Indian side had previously lost the first Test in Bengaluru as the Kiwis beat them by eight wickets. With the Pune loss, India lost a Test series at home after 12 years. Notably, their last Test series drubbing at home came at the hands of England in 2012. 

In both Tests, the Rohit Sharma-led team’s lacklustre batting was on full display. Moreover, the country which boasts some impeccable batters who play spin like a walk in the park, saw its batters gifting their wickets to the likes of Mitchell Santner who picked 13 wickets. After the shambolic loss, the former India all rounder, Irfan Pathan, has urged the senior players in the team to take responsibility and congratulated the Kiwis.

Also Read: Rohit reflects on second Test loss against New Zealand

"Well done, New Zealand, on winning the series on Indian soil! For Team India, there's a lot to reflect on. Senior players need to step up and deliver in the ultimate format of the game. The next three months will be crucial for them,” Pathan tweeted.

Here’s Pathan’s latest post on ‘X’:  

Senior players display dismal performance

Speaking of the senior players, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were dismissed by Santner in both the innings. Moreover, both batters have failed to come among the runs in the four innings they have batted in two games until now. While Rohit has scored 62 runs at an average of 15.50, Kohli has accrued 88 runs at an average of 22.

Also Read: Santner reflects on 13-wicket haul against India in Pune Test

On the other hand, other senior players such as Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have failed to replicate their usual selves with the ball. Both spinners have picked six wickets in four innings at an average of 43.50 and 37.50, respectively.