"You need to think about wickets" - Ravi Shastri slams Rohit Sharma over his defensive captaincy on Day 2 of IND vs NZ 2024 2nd Test
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri criticized Rohit Sharma over his defensive captaincy tactics on Day 2 of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune on Friday, October 25. Shastri questioned Rohit's move to spread the field early in New Zealand's second innings.
After being bowled out for 259 in their first innings on Day 1, the Kiwis dominated Day 2 of the second Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner claimed 7-53 as the visitors bowled out India for 156. In their second innings, New Zealand went to stumps at 198-5 after 53 overs, gaining an overall lead of 301 runs.
During the second session of play, former India left-arm spinner Murali Kartik and Shastri were involved in a discussion on India's defensive tactics and how New Zealand's batters had managed to push the Indian fielders back. In the wake of some aggressive batting from Tom Latham and Will Young, Kartik said (as quoted by Times of India):
"New Zealand have managed to scatter away all the men around the bat."
"Also tells you, tactically, how you should be thinking. India should be thinking how to bowl out New Zealand for 120. For that to happen, you need to think about wickets, you need people in attacking positions. Yes, if the side gets to 60 for no loss, you can start to think differently. It also makes the bowler think that he wants wickets, not with a spread out field like this," Shastri chipped in and added.
New Zealand captain Latham scored 86 before being dismissed by Washington Sundar. At stumps on Day 2 in Pune, Tom Blundell was batting on 30 and Glenn Phillips on nine.
Rohit and co. in danger of rare Test series loss at home
New Zealand's commanding performance on Day 2 in Pune has put them in a great position to push for their maiden Test series win in India. The Kiwis have only won three Tests in India so far but broke a 36-year-old drought by registering an eight-wicket triumph in the first Test in Bengaluru.
As for India, they are in danger of losing their first Test series at home since 2012, when an Alastair Cook-led England beat India 2-1. With New Zealand having already gained a lead of over 300, Rohit and company will have to come up with something exceptional to pull off a win in the Pune Test.