After losing a well-set Yashasvi Jaiswal just before stumps on Day 1 of the third Test match between India and New Zealand in Mumbai, former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull was left perplexed when India dispatched Mohammed Siraj as a nightwatchman.
Siraj walked out to bat instead of Virat Kohli, which was a strong indication of India’s intentions and went against Doull’s expectations. But Siraj was fired for a golden duck, thus the ruse backfired. Siraj received the first delivery to rip off a middle-and-leg channel, which went to Ajaz Patel. Siraj was hit on the back pad and beaten on the outside. Before Siraj, after consulting with non-striker Shubman Gill, blew a review to exacerbate the situation, the umpire’s finger went up immediately.
“Send in a guy who can play, please!” Doull cried on JioCinema.
Doull asserted that, given his skill against spin, R Ashwin would have been a far better wager than the tailender, who left as soon as he arrived.
“A player must be able to play if you plan to have him out in the centre. Neither your senior bowler nor your number eleven can be sent out there. Ashwin was the obvious choice if someone was going to be chosen because he is capable of batting, staying up through the night, and coming here tomorrow to score runs,” he stated.
I believed that to be a grave error: Simon Doull
But Doull, who represented New Zealand in 32 Test matches from 1992 to 2000, was aware of the psyche that underpinned the unsuccessful attempt.
“I felt it was a huge error to put a player out there who bats 10 or 11 and is not skilled against spin on turning circumstances. Many hitters across the world would like to have a nightwatchman and be out there tomorrow if Virat Kohli is not going to come out, which I completely understand,” Doull continued.
Also Read: India vs New Zealand 3rd Test Day 1 Stats Review: India’s most Test wickets and other stats
After Kohli was run out by a precise toss from Matt Henry, leaving the hosts four down and behind by 149 runs, India completed the day in a vulnerable position.
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