The recent India vs New Zealand Test series opener has triggered widespread debate following India’s poor performance in the first Test, with many questioning the team selection. Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has voiced strong criticism against captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir for their decision to not pick Akash Deep, a young and promising fast bowler. This decision, coupled with India's dismal batting performance, has opened the door for many experts to weigh in on whether India’s bowling strategy was also flawed.
India's first innings in the opening Test saw them getting bundled out for a meager 46 runs. While the batting failure grabbed most of the headlines, the bowling attack also came under scrutiny, with New Zealand posting a commanding total of 402 in their first innings. According to Manoj Tiwary, India’s selection issues played a significant role in their struggles on the field. Specifically, he questioned why Akash Deep—a player who had impressed during the Bangladesh series—was left out of the playing XI.
Tiwary emphasized that Akash Deep’s confidence could have taken a massive hit by being overlooked, particularly after his stellar performance against Bangladesh. “Akash Deep's confidence must've suffered a big blow when he found out he wasn’t part of the playing XI against New Zealand. He was outstanding in the Bangladesh series, and his confidence would've been sky-high,” Tiwary said in a statement to Cricbuzz.
Given the conditions on Day 1, Tiwary believes that Akash Deep could have made a significant impact, which makes his exclusion even more baffling. This decision, according to Tiwary, might have robbed India of a crucial bowling option that could have made a difference.
Rohit Sharma admitted in the post-match press conference that he had misread the pitch conditions, a mistake that contributed to India’s poor performance. According to Tiwary, while it’s not uncommon for captains to make mistakes, this misreading was a critical one that could have been mitigated with better guidance from the coach, Gautam Gambhir.
"Good captains also make mistakes because a lot of things go through your mind. But here, the role of the coach to give constant guidance is very important. I don't understand why this didn't happen," said Tiwary, implying that Gambhir’s input could have influenced the team selection for the better.
Rohit’s admission of error highlights an ongoing issue within the Indian team management. It's essential for the captain to have strong backing from the coaching staff, particularly when making key decisions such as the playing XI. Tiwary’s comments suggest that this synergy was lacking during the lead-up to the first Test, and it cost India dearly.
While the decision to exclude Akash Deep has sparked controversy, Mohammed Siraj’s form in Test cricket has also been under the spotlight. Tiwary pointed out a concerning statistic—Siraj has not picked up a single wicket in the second innings of any Test match this year. For a pacer of Siraj’s caliber, this is a worrying trend.
“Siraj has not picked a single wicket in the second innings in Tests this year. It’s disappointing. He should have been rested for a few games, so that he gets the time to focus on his game, his release, and his areas,” Tiwary suggested.
This statement hints at the possibility that Siraj may be struggling due to fatigue, both mental and physical. Tiwary’s recommendation to give Siraj a rest might allow the fast bowler to recalibrate and regain his sharpness, particularly with important matches on the horizon.
One of the most striking comments from Tiwary was his criticism of the decision-making process behind team selections. He expressed his confusion over the logic employed by the Indian management, especially when conditions seemed to favor a bowler like Akash Deep.
“Sometimes I don’t understand the decisions. Common sense seems to be lacking. What the coach or captain is trying to prove is beyond my understanding,” Tiwary remarked. His frustration reflects a broader concern that many fans and analysts share—India’s selections often seem out of sync with the match conditions or player form.
This lack of coherence in decision-making could ultimately harm India's prospects in the ongoing series, especially if changes are not made swiftly.
The captain-coach relationship is crucial in modern cricket. In India’s case, the duo of Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir are tasked with leading the team through challenging series and competitions. However, Tiwary’s remarks suggest that there may be a disconnect between the two, especially when it comes to key decisions like team selection and match tactics.
While both Rohit and Gambhir have extensive experience in international cricket, their partnership is still relatively new. The success of this relationship will depend on their ability to communicate effectively and make collaborative decisions that benefit the team. The first Test against New Zealand highlighted some cracks in this partnership, particularly with regards to the omission of Akash Deep and the reliance on out-of-form players like Mohammed Siraj.
India still has two more Tests remaining in the series against New Zealand, giving them a chance to turn things around. However, if the team is to make a comeback, some serious questions need to be addressed regarding selection, strategy, and player management.
Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir must re-evaluate their approach and ensure that they make informed decisions moving forward. One of the biggest lessons from the first Test is the importance of understanding match conditions and selecting the appropriate players accordingly. Akash Deep’s exclusion has proven to be a controversial decision, and the management may have to reconsider his inclusion for the upcoming matches.
Additionally, players like Mohammed Siraj need to be managed carefully, ensuring that they are at their physical and mental peak for crucial games. Resting Siraj, as suggested by Tiwary, could be a wise move that ultimately benefits both the player and the team.
As India looks to make a comeback in the series, fans and analysts will be closely watching the decisions made by Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir. A lot will depend on how well they learn from their mistakes and adapt to the challenges posed by New Zealand.
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