Rohit Sharma Criticized for Captaincy Decisions in New Zealand Test Match

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, faced a lot of criticism for his fielding strategies during the first day of the second Test match against New Zealand in Pune on Thursday. Many cricket experts were left questioning Rohit’s tactics as New Zealand batted first and managed to score 259 runs before being bowled out. While off-spinners Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin took all 10 New Zealand wickets—Sundar getting his career-best figures of 7/59—the Indian captain's choices during the match raised eyebrows.

Where Things Went Wrong

At one point, it looked like New Zealand was going to put up a big score, thanks to half-centuries from Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra. The two batsmen were picking up singles easily, building a solid partnership. Many felt that Rohit’s fielding choices didn’t put enough pressure on the New Zealand batsmen, with few close-in fielders and not enough overs given to star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. This lack of aggression reminded some experts of how things were different when Virat Kohli led the team, known for his fierce energy and on-field presence.

What the Experts Said

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar was the first to comment during the live broadcast, criticizing Rohit for being too defensive. "If he'd set up those fielders at long-on and long-off against spinners before the batsmen even played a big shot, he'd be called a defensive captain," Gavaskar said. He noted that having fielders so deep was playing it safe when the team should have been attacking more.

Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull also pointed out a moment where even Virat Kohli seemed less focused than usual. "You don’t see that from Kohli often. Just a lazy miss; that does not happen," Doull remarked, referring to India’s flat body language as Conway and Ravindra built their partnership.

Too Defensive?

Former India coach Ravi Shastri also chimed in, feeling that India’s approach was too cautious. "India have been too defensive from the start. When the ball was gripping, they should have been attacking more, not sitting back with fielders deep," Shastri said.

Despite all the criticism, Rohit and his bowlers did manage to bowl New Zealand out by the end of the first day, which was a positive outcome. However, Rohit’s personal form with the bat was a disappointment, as he was dismissed for a duck by New Zealand’s Tim Southee after looking so strong in his last match.

Sources: Internet Sources & Twitter X 

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