The Indian cricket team opted to make three changes in the playing XI for the second Test match against New Zealand in Pune that begins Thursday. Shubman Gill returned from injury after missing the first Test in Bengaluru, while pacer Akash Deep and all-rounder Washington Sundar also joined in. However, KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, and Kuldeep Yadav had to make their way in the playing XI after the thumping defeat in Bengaluru. Legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar was not impressed with the sweeping changes India had made to their lineup and remarked that the addition of Washington indicates that India is ‘eating their words with regards to their batting’ after that loss.
“I don’t see a lot of teams making three changes unless there are injury concerns. Washington Sundar inclusion which actually tells you they are worried about their batting. More than his bowling, they need his batting down the order as the cushion. Yes, there is a lot of talk about the left-handers in the New Zealand batting unit, but I would have picked Kuldeep Yadav, who can also turn it away from a left-hander,” Gavaskar said.
Nevertheless, former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull stated that the changes do not suggest India are in a panic mode, but added that the team management should support their players more.
“I don’t think, they have pressed the panic button. It just surprises me a little bit. There were press conferences before the tour about backing players, backing their ability and all of a sudden, after one Test match, you are saying the guy who was good enough in the first Test match is now not good enough. Okay, Sarfaraz knocked the door down with that big 150. But, you are all of a sudden not backing the guy that you backed in Test match No. 1,’ Doull said.
“Washington Sundar, who has been in good form in domestic cricket, will make an immediate entry into the XI. Doesn that mean they are dissatisfied with Ashwin’s performance? But they are introducing another off spinner, because in case he (Ashwin) did not bowl well in the first test. I will tell you what, he will bowl well here, ‘ he added.
Comments are closed.