Cricket is a ‘smackers’ game now: Kevin Pietersen criticises batting techniques in modern Test cricket

He made the comments on his social media handle on Monday. He did not mention what he was referring to specifically but his comments came right on the heels of the Indian cricket team’s 0-3 capitulation at home against New Zealand, which was the first time India has been whitewashed at home in history. England also were found wanting in the Test series against Pakistan in sub-continental conditions.

“No one should be surprised by the lack of batting application and technique in Test Match cricket. Cricket is a ‘smackers’ game now and there is a disintegration of Test Match batting skill in the game,” Pietersen tweeted on X (formerly known as Twitter). “When it comes to playing spin, the only way, spend time playing against it for hours and hours and hours. There’s no quick remedy!”

Sunil Gavaskar on Test cricket

Pietersen’s comments echo the thoughts of legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar.

“Test cricket requires some patience, especially on pitches where the bowlers are getting some assistance, but not many modern batters believe in that. Then there’s this new thinking that, come what may, we will play only at breakneck speed in a five-day game, and that means there is not much thought given to tiring the bowler out or waiting for conditions to improve,” Gavaskar said in a column for Sportstar.

“That’s why Pujaras and Rahanes have no place in the Indian team’s plans. Pujara wore down the Australian attack, as did Rahane, and so the stroke-makers could take advantage of a tired attack and flog it and make up for a slow but watchful start. That kind of thinking is not there. Now there’s this business of belting the ball like England batters are doing and losing badly overseas,” Gavaskar added.