New Delhi: Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s tactics were questioned by experts after the hosts conceded 301-run lead against New Zealand on the second day of the ongoing second Test match at the Maharashtra Cricket Stadium in Pune. After getting trounced in the first Test in Bengaluru, India suffered another batting collapse as New Zealand spinners dictated the terms.
India were bowled out for 156 in response to New Zealand’s 259 in the first innings on a track where the ball skidded more than often. The Black Caps clinched 103 runs in the first innings only to add 198 more at the end of the day thanks to skipper Tom Latham’s (86) prudent efforts with the bat.
New Zealand openers Latham and Conway started off well scoring 23 runs in the four overs with as many boundaries coming off their willows. On-air commentators were surprised to see the field placements set by Rohit with a lot of room provided to plunder singles. Just after couple of overs were bowled, Rohit removed the fielders inside the circle and set them on boundary. Former Indian spinner Murali Kartik pointed out that Rohit was the only player in the slip cordon, highlighting India’s defensive fielding.
“Whatever New Zealand have done by showing intent and taking those singles, I’m amazed that they have managed to scatter away all the men around the bat. There’s only one, which is Rohit Sharma (at first slip). The other one is trying to protect that single,” Kartik said during his commentary stint for the official broadcaster.
Explain this field placement after around 100 lead on turner
Koi defensive captaincy nhi kahega pic.twitter.com/Hu3zCnCLo2— POTT⁷⁶⁵ (@KlolZone) October 25, 2024
Kartik’s comments were backed by former India player and head coach Ravi Shastri in the same conversation. Shastri wasn’t happy with fielders spread out in the initial stage of the innings and felt the mindset wasn’t there to bowl out the opposition for a low score.
“This also tells you, tactically, how you should be thinking. India should’ve been thinking how can we bowl out New Zealand out for 120 and for that to happen, you need to think wickets, you need fielders in attacking positions. Yes, if the side gets to 60/0 you can start thinking differently. It also makes the bowlers think that the captain wants wickets, not with a spread-out field like this,” Shastri said.
India stare at first home Test series loss?
With 301-run lead already conceded and New Zealand still having five more wickets to add to the tally, India is certainly set to chase a mammoth total in the fourth innings. The highest score India has chased at home is 387 against England in the Chennai Test of the 2008 series. A similar daunting effort will be required from Rohit and his men to avoid their first Test series defeat at home.
India has won 18 Test series in a row since they lost their last defeat to England in 2012 (losing 2-1 in the four-match series). New Zealand, who won their first Test in India after 36 years in Bengaluru, are in a commanding position to end India’s dominance in the red-ball format on home soil.
