On the first day of the second Test between India and New Zealand in Pune, prominent commentator and former India captain Sunil Gavaskar made a brief jab at Rohit Sharma’s captaincy style. Especially in the first play session, the Indian captain’s defensive field placements were criticised by the legendary batter.
Washington Sundar bowled the 19th over of New Zealand’s opening innings, which was criticised by Gavaskar. Prior to any lofted shots being played, the former discussed the positioning of fielders at long-on and long-off for spinners.
Before a lofted shot was played, the captain would have been referred to as a defensive captain if the spinners had fielders like that, long-on and long-off. He is a negative captain and a defensive captain. You’re trying to block the boundaries now. (After the field was changed.) This is a good field because there is a fielder at long-on for (turn). “It’s appropriate that the mid-off is inside,” Gavaskar stated live.
Too protective during that initial play session; Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri, the former head coach of India, also expressed similar opinions in the 48th over, implying that New Zealand benefited from the defensive strategy.
“Too defensive during the initial play session when the ball was gripping.” “I mean, just giving the New Zealand hitters an advantage when you have long-on and long-off,” Shastri remarked.
Important breakthroughs were made by India’s spinners in spite of the defensive field conditions. The Kiwis were batting at 221/6 after 67 overs at the time of writing.
Also Read: WATCH: Tim Southee cleans up Rohit Sharma with a jaffa on Day 1, captain departs for duck
Rachin Ravindra (65) and Devon Conway (76) made major contributions. Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin, two Indian bowlers, each took three wickets in the meantime.
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