India’s Defensive Mindset Cost Them Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Deep Das Gupta

Former Cricketer Highlights India’s Over-Reliance on Batting Depth and Lack of Bowling Clarity During the Series

New Delhi, January 8: Former Indian cricketer and commentator Deep Das Gupta has voiced his concerns over India’s performance in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, attributing their series defeat to a “defensive mindset” that reflected in their team selection and overall approach.

“When you select a team, it reflects your mindset. And I felt that from the first Test match, the Indian team went with a defensive mindset, evident from the batting-heavy combination up to No. 8, including Washington Sundar as a specialist batsman despite the limited overs he bowled,” Das Gupta said while speaking to Star Sports.

He emphasized that this strategy compromised India’s bowling depth, leaving them unable to fully capitalize on key moments. “That defensive mindset was the biggest reason for the team’s struggles. A positive mindset leads to clarity, and everything else aligns naturally,” he added.

A Series of Missed Opportunities

India began the series with an impressive victory in Perth but failed to sustain the momentum, ultimately losing the series 1-3. This defeat marked Australia’s first Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in a decade, with their last victory coming in the 2014-15 series.

Focus Shifts to Champions Trophy

Looking ahead, India now faces the challenge of the 2025 Champions Trophy, a golden opportunity to add another ICC title to their cabinet, especially after their T20 World Cup triumph in Barbados.

The Champions Trophy campaign will kick off with Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the Group A opener in Karachi on February 19. Meanwhile, India will begin their journey against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20.

As the team prepares for these future challenges, experts and fans alike will be hoping for a more balanced approach in team selection and on-field strategies.