South African pace bowling great Shaun Pollock on Wednesday criticised India's misplaced priorities and approach to the Test series against the Proteas, saying the team's lack of preparation stood out despite a historic ODI triumph.
"I was a little bit surprised by their batting. When they came on this tour I thought it was going to be their strength. I was a bit disappointed by the way they went (in the Test series)," Pollock said.
He asked if India would be satisfied with winning the ODI series when they should have prioritised winning the Test series instead.
"looking back, I think they have identified that preparation wise they needed to be here for more time. I suppose it goes down to what are the actual goals you want to achieve. If you want to win Test series away from home, then you have to give them more priority. And priority means more preparation.
"I think going out to England, we have heard some guys are going to play county cricket. So preparation wise I think they will be better equipped when they go there or to Australia," he said.
India lost the three-match Test series 2-1, after being walloped in the first two games, but have secured a first ODI series win here on Tuesday.
Pollock said: "We have seen they are now settled in ODIs. Probably they could have structured the tour better and had ODIs before Tests, and that could have been better preparation for India.
"I think practice matters. You need to have two practice matches and have a guarantee that you are genuinely good opposition than just developing players."
‘Kohli loves Pandya’
Pollock feels Virat Kohli sees a bit of himself in Hardik Pandya and predicted a long run for the all-rounder in the Indian team.
"I clearly get the impression that Virat Kohli loves Hardik Pandya's attitude. It's very similar to the way Kohli plays his cricket. And because he loves that attitude there is a good chance that Pandya will get a long run in the side," Pollock said.
South Africa's leading wicket-taker in Tests added: "That's the nature of cricket — if the captain likes the way a player goes about his business then that player will get an extra run (of opportunities)."
Pandya proved to be the fulcrum of India's attack in their 73-run win over South Africa in the fifth ODI here. "I liked Pandya's attitude and approach in the Cape Town Test, the way he played that knock, and he is learning. He will be ultra positive in Indian conditions where he can take on the spinners. lot of people have got potential, but to take that to the next level is always the key,” he said.