Bengaluru: Disappointed with India’s “dismal” performance in the ongoing Test series in England, former wicket-keeper Syed Kirmani wants the batsmen to take legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar’s advice in countering the swinging conditions.

India are staring at series defeat after losing the opening two Tests in the five-match rubber. On Sunday, Virat Kohli and his men were thumped by an innings and 159 runs by the hosts at Lord’s.

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When MyNation contacted Kirmani for his reaction on India’s failures in England, he expressed his disappointment and wanted the batsmen to pick Gavaskar’s brains.

“What a dismal performance by the Indian team. The batsmen are lacking the batting technique. The great man Sunil Gavaskar is there and they should take his advice,” Kirmani said.

The 88-Test veteran said Indian batsmen lacked the technique to counter the moving ball in England.

“The guys with so much experience can’t combat swing in the air and off the pitch. The problem is they are all unable to judge the swing. And our bowlers too were not focused on a good, consistent line like how James Anderson, Stuart Broad and rest of the English bowlers bowled,” the 1983 World Cup winner opined.

When asked about some of the Indian batsmen, including captain Virat Kohli, standing outside the batting crease to counter the swing, Kirmani said it was not the right thing to do.

“Our batsmen were moving before the ball could be bowled. That is wrong technique. Those (standing outside the crease) are all the gimmicks of limited-overs which are being continued in Tests. This technique will not work in countries like England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. They are covering the entire stumps and moving across before the ball is bowled and hanging their bat outside. It is always bat-pad together. That is the correct technique. Already two Test matches have gone and they have not learnt from their mistakes,” he explained.

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Kirmani said Indian cricket was back to the Sachin Tendulkar era when it was one-man show in overseas tours.

“I am always optimistic about Indian cricket. We have got the ammunition and we need to fire. It is that they have all succumbed to the pressure. Just like in the Sachin Tendulkar era when he fell the entire team collapsed, now if Virat Kohli goes, the rest follow. They have to make adjustments to their game and follow a proper technique to combat swing and bounce. We have good fast bowlers but they are not focused on good line and length,” Kirmani signed off.