Indians need to get out of mental block: Gibbs

Indians should get out of the mental block of their past failure against short-pitched deliveries by being positive in their approach if they have to tackle the South African pace battery in the Test series beginning in Johannesburg on December 18, feels former Protea batsman Herschelle Gibbs.
Gibbs said Indian batsmen would be put under sustained pressure by South African fast bowlers with short-pitched deliveries and the visitors will have to prepare themselves for that.
"It is about being ready for short stuff because they are going to get a lot of it. They need to work on it for a while, especially in the build-up to this first Test. I can pretty much assure you that the pitch for the Wanderers' Test will be pretty similar to the one rolled out for the first ODI (on December 5)," Gibbs said.

"It will be a mind game before they set foot on the ground, and they have to be ready for it by being positive and reflecting it from their body language," he said.
"It is about their mental block and they have three, at most four, day to get out of it."
The Indian batsmen have not played a competitive innings since their dismal surrender at Kingsmead in the second ODI, considering that the third ODI's second innings at Centurion was washed out and not a ball was bowled here in the solitary practice match ahead of Test series.

Asked about this lack of practice by the Indians ahead the two-match Test series, the cricketer-turned-commentator said jokingly, "I think Duncan Fletcher will make excellent use of the indoor facilities available at Wanderers stadium."

The first ODI was not one that the Indian team will like to remember. They were battered and bruised by Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and company, with high bounce and fearsome pace, as India lost by 141 runs. They were expected to do better in Durban (which will host second Test from December 26) in the second ODI, with an easier-paced wicket laid out. Even so, they went under by 136 runs and handed a 134-run defeat.
Gibbs advised the young Indian batsmen to curb their aggression in early overs on South African wickets and play their strokes after getting settled down.