IND vs SA 2025: 'Think of rotating strike, applying pressure on bowlers' - Former all-rounder questions India's approach in 2nd innings of 1st Test

Irfan Pathan believes that India could have chased down the 124-run target in the fourth innings of the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens had they been a bit more proactive with the bat.

Simon Harmer and Co. made life difficult for the Indian batters on a rank turner and the hosts were eventually bowled out for 93 in 35 overs.

Pathan opined that if two out of the top seven Indian batters had batted with an aggressive approach, India would have won the match. He explained that aerial shots were not required but just the intent to keep the scoreboard ticking could have stood Indian in strong stead.

"I was watching the match, and I felt the batting approach needed to shift into aggression. Why do I say this? Look, I’ve played a lot of first-class cricket in Motibagh. I’ve played on turning tracks too. With more than a hundred first-class matches and close to 30 Tests for India in red-ball cricket, my experience says this — if you need around 125 runs in the final innings, then at least two of your top seven batters must think positively, think of rotating strike, applying pressure on the bowlers. Two partnerships, and the match ends. That’s it," Pathan said in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel.

"You saw what Axar Patel tried later — he hit a couple of sixes and a boundary, and he got out playing that way. But he still reached around 25–26. If even one or two batters had adopted this approach, those 125 runs could’ve been achieved. We lost by 30 runs. A few positive shots — and not necessarily big aerial shots — but keeping the game moving, using the wrists, finding the gaps that’s what was needed," said Pathan.

There was a time when we were considered masters of playing spin: Pathan

Pathan explained how India's ability to thrive against spinners has diminished over the years. The cricketer-turned-commentator stated that when batters look to survive, they come under pressure and eventually get out.

"And this brings us to today’s main point — our skill as Indian batters against spin, the ability to use soft hands and wrists — has dropped sharply. There is no debate about this. There was a time when we were considered masters of playing spin all over the world. That art has almost vanished on turning tracks. Because now we mostly get white-ball pitches, we face hard lengths from side-arm throwdowns so the skill to play quality spin has come down drastically, especially ours. And when the approach becomes too subdued and you stop thinking about scoring, you get into trouble. You only think of survival, and you come under pressure," Pathan said.

"Shubman Gill wasn’t going to bat. South Africa needed nine wickets. But still, our approach should have been better. The runs should have been in our mind. If you become overly defensive in Test cricket, maybe not the first ball, maybe not the second — but the third will have your name on it, and the bowler will take your wicket," the T20 World Cup-winning all-rounder added.

Temba Bavuma-led South Africa have now taken a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series. The second and final Test is scheduled to be held at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, starting on Saturday, November 22.