Aus vs Ind 4th test match: Former Indian cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri questioned the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s tactics for his lack of willingness to use spin despite preferring an additional spinner over a full-time batter.
Similarly, Team India’s pacer Akash Deep received severe criticism from former Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar for conceding too many runs and not making use of the new ball.
In the ongoing fourth test match of the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, the Indian cricket team management included the all-rounder Washington Sundar in the playing XI by replacing Shubman Gill. The main plan was to make use of the extra spinner’s abilities after analyzing the pitch conditions.
The Australian batters completely dominated the opening day of the Boxing Day test on December 26 (Thursday) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) provided with the fierce start of the debutant opener Sam Konstas.
Shockingly, Washington was brought in after the completion of the 52nd over, which was the last over before the tea break. But, Rohit’s strategy proved to be no use as the stage was perfectly set for Aussies at 171-2.
Australians batted 122.4 overs and posted a total of 474-10. Out of which the 25-year-old bowled just 15 overs and grabbed Marnus Labuschagne’s wicket who scored 145-ball-72 runs. Sundar and Nitish Reddy (7 overs) together bowled 22 overs, which is 6.4 overs less than Jasprit Bumrah’s spell of 28.4 overs.
Ravindra Jadeja being a spin bowling all-rounder was given 23 overs to bowl and bagged 3 wickets by conceding 78 runs.
Ravi Shastri Questions India’s Bowling Performance: Why Play with Two Spinners Without Trusting Them?
Speaking on Star Sports during the lunch break, Ravi Shastri questioned Team India’s tactics:
“Yeah! My opinion is that the bowling performance was ordinary. India was completely out of ideas as they didn’t make use of spin bowling options as much as possible. Jadeja was allowed to bowl only after 40 overs. While Washington Sundar bowled his first over in the match after a long time. So, it’s better to ask if you’re playing with two spinners what is the need and use if you’re not ready to trust them,” the former Indian head coach said.
Shastri highlighted Australia’s Day 1 score by sharing a few more facts:
“YES! Let’s ensure that we don’t throw away too many wickets, particularly in the first 45 minutes, and try adding another 50 runs. They (Australians) were 311-6 at the end of Day 1 and would initially aim to reach 350 on the next day. But, look at the rate at which they piled up runs. It made the batters’ job much easier than expected. ” Ravi Shastri said.
Australian batters who resumed the second day at 311-6, added another 163 runs that enhanced their total to 474. Moreover, Steve Smith achieved his 46th international ton while captain Pat Cummins scored a brisk 49 and fell one run short to score his 4th test fifty.
Ravi Shastri Points Out India’s Changes in Bowling and Field Placements on Day 2: Bursts Against Rohit Sharma’s Tactics
Furthermore, Shastri criticized Rohit Sharma for setting too much defensive field and implementing changes in bowling on Day 2:
“No! India shouldn’t have changed the bowling pattern and should have started with Jasprit Bumrah as usual rather than Mohammed Siraj. It was important to handle Siraj carefully whose confidence was extremely low.
When Mitchell Starc comes on to bat, there should have been at least one fielder in the inner circle rather than depending on the long-on and long-off fielders”. Ravi Shastri feels that the defensive field was unnecessary, particularly against a tailender like Starc.
Sunil Gavaskar Lashes out at Akash Deep for wasting valuable opportunities
Akash Deep bowled 26 overs and grabbed 2 wickets conceding 98 runs including Steve Smith’s dismissal as well, but Sunil Gavaskar points out the pacer’s inability to handle the second new ball as he bowled too wide or straight:
“See! It was a normal bowling performance. A pacer attempting to bowl a bouncer should target around the helmet’s badge rather than the waist. According to my opinion, I’m extremely disappointed, and I feel sorry to say that Akash wasted the second new ball. He bowled too wide outside the off-stump or too straight to the opponent batter. Moreover, the Indian cricketers have been negligent on the field,” Gavaskar said.
Final Thoughts:
Rohit Sharma’s captaincy in the Boxing Day test of the BGT 2024-25 not only drew criticism from senior cricketers but also on social media. Not making use of Washington Sundar’s spin bowling abilities highlights the team’s wasted opportunity, as the talented all-rounder bagged 11 wickets against New Zealand in the Pune Test in October 2024, which includes a 7-wicket haul in the first innings as well.
The Indian captain for the first 16 overs of the second day wasn’t ready to introduce Jadeja or Sundar into the bowling attack. This was one of the main reasons for Smith and Cummins to add a 112-run partnership for the 7th wicket that propelled their team’s total above 400.
Indian batters started their 1st innings under pressure and have lost half of their batting side as Day 2 concluded at 164-5 at stumps in 46 overs and are still trailing by 310 runs. Moreover, India requires another 111 runs to avoid a follow-on at the MCG.