[Watch] “He’s a defensive captain, he’s a negative captain” – Sunil Gavaskar slams Rohit Sharma on Day 1 of 2024 IND vs NZ 2nd Test
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar slammed reigning skipper Rohit Sharma on Day 1 (Thursday, October 24) of the ongoing second Test against New Zealand in Pune. While calling the match, Gavaskar didn’t hold back his words as Rohit placed fielders at long-on and long-off for the spinners during the first session. The cricketer-turned-commentator insisted that Rohit was acting defensively.
Gavaskar’s reaction came during the 19th over of New Zealand’s first innings when Washington Sundar was bowling. He said:
“If you had fielders like that – long-on and long-off – for the spinners before a lofted shot had been played, the captain would’ve been called a defensive captain. He’s a defensive captain, he’s a negative captain. Here now you try and block the boundaries."
"(Once the field changed) This is a good field in the sense that there is a fielder at long-on for - with the turn. The mid-off is inside, which is how it should be,” he added.
New Zealand were at 92/2 after 31 overs at Lunch on Day 1.
“Too defensive” – Ravi Shastri shares similar sentiments as Sunil Gavaskar on Rohit Sharma in the first session
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri also slammed Rohit Sharma and company, calling them ‘too defensive’ for their approach in the first session of the second Test against New Zealand. Replying to Dinesh Karthik, he said on air during the 48thover of the visitors' first innings:
“Too defensive in that first session of play when the ball was gripping. When you have long-on and long-off, I mean just playing it into the hands of the New Zealand batters.”
At the time of writing, the visitors were 169/3 after 53.1 overs, with Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell at the crease. Ravichandran Ashwin has been the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, taking all three wickets so far.
Unlike India, New Zealand made the most of the conditions after being asked to bowl in the first Test. The Kiwis dismantled India for just 46 in the first innings as the hosts registered their lowest-ever total in a Test innings at home. The Men in Blue fought back in the second essay, scoring 462 but lost the game by eight wickets to go 0-1 behind in the three-match Test series.
Follow the IND vs NZ 2nd Test live score and updates here.