Former cricketer Mohammed Kaif said the fall in batting standards of the Big 3 — India, England, and Australia — in Test cricket is alarming. All three teams struggled badly within a week: India against South Africa, and England and Australia on the first day of the Ashes on Friday.

This was similar to the recent India–South Africa Test, which also ended inside three days. The Eden Gardens pitch faced strong criticism from fans and former players after that match, but head coach Gautam Gambhir defended it.

Gambhir said the pitch was made that way on purpose, and a more defensive batting style would have made scoring easier.

Kaif wrote on Friday in X (formally Twitter), “Where have all the Test match batsmen gone? India failed to chase 124 on a spin track, while English and Australian batters struggled on a fast Perth wicket on the opening day of the Ashes.”

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Where have all the Test match batsmen gone? India fail to chase 124 on spin track while English and Australian batters struggle on pacy Perth wicket on opening day of Ashes.

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) November 21, 2025

India Collapses Again in Kolkata

India’s Kolkata Test showed the same chaos, as the hosts were bowled out for just 93 while chasing a small target of 124. Star all-rounder Washington Sundar top-scored with a fighting 31 off 92 balls, but the rest of the batting failed. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mohammed Siraj got out for ducks. KL Rahul (1), Rishabh Pant (2), and Kuldeep Yadav (1) also scored only single digits.

Ashes Opener Sees 19 Wickets Fall on Day 1

Nineteen wickets fell on a dramatic opening day of the first Ashes Test on Friday. England captain Ben Stokes used his pace attack well and put his team in a strong position after Australia bowled England out for just 172.

Mitchell Starc was unstoppable, taking 7/58 to push England back after Stokes won the toss on a clear morning at a packed Perth Stadium and chose to bat.

Here's every single one of the NINETEEN wickets to fall on Day 1 at Optus Stadium ... in just 71.5 overs 🤯#Ashes pic.twitter.com/d8QFJEmCxe

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) November 21, 2025

Ashes 1st Test, Perth (November 21–25, 2025) – Day 1 Brief Scorecard

England: 172

Brook 52, Pope 46; Starc 7/58

Australia: 123/9 in 39 overs

Carey 26, Green 24; Stokes 5/23

Day 1 Result: Australia trail by 49 runs.