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Published 20:06 IST, October 26th 2024

'Have To Get Their Act Together': Anil Kumble Lambasts India After Shocking Test Series Loss to NZ

Following New Zealand's 113-run defeat of the hosts in the second Test match in Pune, Anil Kumble was unreserved in his criticism of the Rohit Sharma-led India.

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Tom Latham, Rohit Sharma
New Zealand's captain Tom Latham shake hands with India's captain Rohit Sharma after their win against India on the day three of the second cricket test match at the MCA Stadium | Image: AP Photo

Team India suffered a new low after they fell to New Zealand 2-0 in the Test series. The WTC hopes are on the line as India continues to struggle while at home conditions. The loss in the Pune Test has attracted a lot of criticism over the Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma -led side. A former India cricketer has also vented his frustration after India lost the series 2-0 against the Blackcaps.

Also Read: Vyshak Vijaykumar Story: From An Overweight, Unsure Kid To Team India For SA Tour

Anil Kumble Upset Over Team India's Loss As Their WTC Points Take A Slight Dip!

After India suffered their first Test series defeat at home in 12 years, Anil Kumble did not mince words about the Rohit Sharma-led Men In Blue after New Zealand humiliated the hosts with a 113-run loss in the second Test in Pune to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series. While speaking on JioCinema, Kumble explained that India has made it harder for themselves if they want to sail into the WTC Final.

"I think that's the beauty about WTC. I know the series is done for India, but then every Test match is equally important. They have obviously made it harder for themselves. At the start of the series, we spoke about getting five wins for you to really sail into the championship final. But now if you need those four wins in the next six matches, that becomes even tougher because the one is at the Wankede Stadium against this extremely confident New Zealand side and then five against Australia in Australia.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir, left, and India's captain Rohit Sharma reacts after their lost against New Zealand on the day three of the second cricket test match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, in Pune | Image: AP Photo 

"I know India has done really well in the last two series that they played in Australia but again it's all the more tougher for India to qualify, but they have to really get their act together. The batting has been disappointing. The bowling will have its challenges right throughout. The reason that India is on the top there is because Indian bowlers have been able to pick up those 20 wickets. The batting needs to come together and start getting those runs," Anil Kumble said.

Also Read: 'Need To Have.': Rohit Sharma Shares Plan For Australia Tour After Series Defeat Against New Zealand

The back-to-back losses in Test Cricket against New Zealand should be a wake-up call for the Indian Cricket Team, who have been showing signs of struggle against spin bowling. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy coming soon, all eyes are on the World Test Championship Standings.

After losing to New Zealand by 113 runs in the second Test on Saturday, India's points percentage (PCT) suffered, but they still hold the top spot in the World Test Championship rankings. India's PCT fell from 68.06 to 62.82, marking their fourth defeat in the current WTC cycle. Consequently, Rohit Sharma and his team are now only 0.32 points ahead of second-place Australia (62.50).

[With PTI Inputs]

Updated 20:06 IST, October 26th 2024