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'If You Play Defensive Cricket...,' Ex-Selector Warns Rohit Sharma's India Ahead of BGT

India was recently whitewashed at home by New Zealand [Source: @Congress_Indira/X.com]India was recently whitewashed at home by New Zealand [Source: @Congress_Indira/X.com]

India's recent 0-3 loss to New Zealand has former cricketer Sandeep Patil sounding the alarm. At the launch of his book, Beyond Boundaries, Patil didn't hold back, calling the defeat a much-needed "wake-up call" as India gears up for the upcoming Australia tour. With a big series ahead, Patil reckons that the Indian team needs to move on from this defeat and focus on the battles to come.

Sandeep Patil Urges Team India To Move On From New Zealand Whitewash

Patil stated that India needs to leave the New Zealand series behind and gear up mentally for the challenges of playing in Australia. The conditions there, along with a quality opposition, mean that India must bring their A-game.

"They have to play against Australia in Australia, they will have to forget what happened there last time. They will also have to forget what happened in this series (against New Zealand) and look forward,” said Patil.

Stay Positive and Play to Win: Patil's Advice To The Indian Team

Patil had a bit of advice drawn from his own experience in the 1983 World Cup. Despite a dismal start back then in the warm-up matches, his team went on to win it all.

"We lost all practice games before winning the World Cup, so they should remember... you have to think positive and play positively only then you will get a positive result. If you play defensive cricket and think of winning, it is not going to happen,” added the Indian veteran as he urged the team to stay positive by reminding them that an attacking approach is the only way to get positive results.

New Zealand Defeat A Wake-Up Call For India

While the loss to New Zealand stings, Patil doesn't see it as a disaster. Instead, he feels it's a much-needed reminder. 

“This was like a wake-up call. It’s not like our team has been playing badly,” he said, pointing out that just a few months ago, India lifted the T20 World Cup. Patil is confident the team’s big players will bounce back and show what they’re made of.

Meanwhile, with the Australia series on the horizon, Patil wants the team to block out past losses. The five-Test series kicks off in Perth on November 22, and Team India will need to bring everything they've got.