India’s England tour began disappointing with a five -wicket defeat in the first Test at Leeds’s Headingley. Indian batsmen performed brilliantly, but India suffered defeat due to lapses and poor fielding in bowling selection. However, the decision that caught the most attention was to bring Shardul Thakur late in bowling. On which former all -rounder Ravichandran Ashwin also raised questions.
India scored 471 runs in the first innings and was in a strong position. But England won the match due to the frequent collapse of lower order and ineffectiveness in bowling. Captain Shubman Gill did not hand over the ball to Shardul Thakur till the 40th over of England’s first innings, until Joe Root and other batsmen were set. This decision was criticized by Ashwin on his YouTube channel.
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Know what Ashwin said
Ashwin said, ‘You have taken Shardul Thakur in the team, but did not give him a ball in the first 40 overs, while who were batting root. And Shardul has a good record against the route. Shardul Thakur is a match winning. He has dismissed Ben Docket and Harry Brook. But if you do not use it at the right time, what will he be able to do? If he does not get the ball, what difference will he be able to make? “
In the second innings, Shardul was brought for bowling in the 19th over, but he threw only 10 overs. He took two wickets, but many people believe that he got the wickets lucky. Ashwin said that the real issue is that India is not using a potential wicket-content properly.
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Ajinkya Rahane and Akash Chopra also raised questions
Former vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane also expressed concern over the same issue and said that Shardul should have been used as a new ball or first change. At the same time, Akash Chopra has also questioned the strategy of head coach Gautam Gambhir.