Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma© AFP
The Indian cricket team has decided to make three changes to its squad for the second Test match against New Zealand in Pune starting on Thursday. Shubman Gill returned from injury after missing the first Test in Bengaluru while a pacer Akash Deep and universal Washington Sundar were also included. on the other hand KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav lost their places in the playing XI after the crushing loss in Bengaluru. Legendary dough for India Sunil Gavaskar was unconvinced by the sweeping changes India had made and said Washington’s inclusion showed India was “worried about its batting” after the defeat.
“I don’t see many teams making three changes unless there are injury concerns. The inclusion of Washington Sundar which basically tells you they are worried about their batting. More than his bowling, they need his batting down the order as a cushion. Yes, there is a lot of talk about left-handers in the New Zealand team, but I would pick Kuldeep Yadav, who can also swing that from a left-armer,” Gavaskar said.
Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Dole, however, said the changes did not mean India were panicking, but added that the team management needed to support their players.
“I don’t think they hit the panic button. It just surprises me a little. There were pre-tour press conferences to support players, support their abilities and suddenly, after one test match, you say the guy who was good enough in the first test match is not good enough now, Sarfaraz hit the wicket with that big 150. But you suddenly you’re not backing the guy you backed in Test match #1. Dole said.
“Washington Sundar, coming off matches in domestic cricket, is in the XI immediately. Does that tell me they are not happy with how Ashwin bowled? But they are bringing in another player who is not playing because he (Ashwin) didn’t bat well in the first Test I will tell you, he will play well here,” he added.
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