Why Not Ravichandran Ashwin? Former New Zealand Cricketer Blasts ‘Siraj As Nightwatchman’ Move – News18
Last Updated:
Simon Doull questioned sending Mohammed Siraj as a nightwatchman instead of Ravichandran Ashwin.
Mohammed Siraj gout out on the first ball he faced (Screengrab)
Around 15 minutes before stumps, India were cruising at 78-1 but a rapid fall of wickets turned their fortunes around as New Zealand scented the chance of a clean sweep as three quick wickets meant they were 86/4 at the close of play on day 1 of the third and final Test of the three-match series against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday.
New Zealand’s Mumbai-born spinner Ajaz Patel struck twice in two balls in a chaotic end to the day.
Ajaz bowled Yashasvi Jaiswal for 30 while attempting a reverse sweep, and then India’s ploy of sending a nightwatchman failed as Mohammed Siraj fell, trapped lbw on the next ball. Siraj also burned a review.
New Zealand’s biggest celebration, however, came in the next over when a direct throw from Matt Henry at mid-on ran out Virat Kohli for four, the Indian talisman setting off for a reckless single.
ALSO READ | 6 Runs, 3 Wickets, 9 Balls! India Commit Harakiri In Mumbai After Dominating Day 1
Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull did not hold back in his criticism of the Indian team management for sending Siraj as the nightwatchman.
“Well, I don’t like the term night watchman being used for a tail end or a lower-order play. Why not Ravichandran Ashwin? If you’re going to have a player out in the middle that has to be able to play, you can’t just send a bowler out there for the sake of sending a bowler out there. If it was going to be anyone that had to be Ashwin because he could actually bat. He’ll get through the night and then he’ll come tomorrow and he’ll score you runs because he’s good enough to do that,” Doull was quoted as saying on Sports18.
“But in tricky conditions when the ball is turning. And to be fair, Ajaz hadn’t bowled well. The New Zealand spinners hadn’t actually bowled that well, uh, there’s a couple that went past the bat, but it wasn’t consistent enough. So to send a player out there who generally bats 10 or 11 and is not proficient against spin in turning conditions, I thought it was a big mistake first and foremost. If Virat Kohli, he’s not gonna come out, and I totally understand it. There are a lot of batters around the world that do that would prefer to have a night watchman, would prefer to be out there tomorrow. But send in a guy who can play please,” he added.
(With inputs from Agencies)
Discover more from Divya Bharat 🇮🇳
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
