Simon Doull speaking. (Photo Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Former New Zeland cricketer Simon Doull was left baffled as India sent Mohammed Siraj as a nightwatchman after losing a well-set Yashasvi Jaiswal just before before stumps on Day 1 in the third Test between India and New Zealand in Mumbai.
Contrary to Doull’s expectations, Siraj came out to bat instead of Virat Kohli, with India’s intentions quite clear with that move. However, the ploy backfired as Siraj was dismissed for a golden duck. Ajaz Patel got the very first delivery to Siraj to rip off a middle-and-leg channel. Siraj was beaten on the outside and was struck on the back pad. The umpire’s finger went up straightaway before Siraj, in consultation with non-striker Shubman Gill, blew a review to make matters worse.
“Send in a guy who can play, please!,” exclaimed Doull, while speaking on JioCinema.
Doull claimed that R Ashwin would have been a much better bet considering his prowess against spin instead of the tailender who departed as soon as he came.
“If you going to be having a player out in the middle, he has to be able to play. You can’t be sending your No.11 or your senior bowler out there. If it was going to be someone, it had to be Ashwin, because he can actually bat, get through the night, come tomorrow here, and score runs because he is good enough to do that,” he said.
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I thought it was a big mistake: Doull
Doull, who played 32 Tests for New Zealand between 1992 and 2000, however, understood the underlying psychology behind the failed move.
“To send a player out there who bats 10 or 11, and is not proficient against spin on turning conditions, I thought it was a big mistake. If Virat Kohli is not going to come out – and I totally understand, a lot of batters around the world that do that – would prefer to have a nightwatchman, would prefer to be out there tomorrow,” added Doull.
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India ended the day in a vulnerable position with Kohli being run out by a pinpoint throw from Matt Henry to leave the hosts four down, trailing by 149 runs.