Former Indian selector Chris Srikkanth has mentioned that Shubman Gill has made many mistakes during his captaincy tenure with India, particularly pointing out several flaws in the bowling changes he made.
India lost the New Zealand series, and this defeat really exposed many flaws within the Indian system. The Indian batting line-up struggled against the Kiwi batsmen, especially Rohit Sharma, who failed to convert his starts, while Shreyas Iyer also struggled to score easy runs after recovering.
However, the biggest concern for India is the form of their two spinners, who proved to be completely ineffective. New Zealand’s batsmen did not even once face any threat from the Indian spinners, resulting in runs coming in free flow in the middle overs.
Kris Srikkanth points out flaws in Shubman Gill’s captaincy
Ravindra Jadeja, who failed to perform well with the ball in the first two matches for India, was not handed the ball until the 29th over of the game. Instead, Shubman Gill took the side to Nitish Kumar Reddy after conceding 37 runs in his 6 overs.
Chris Srikkanth said, “If Ravindra Jadeja had been brought in to bowl before Nitish Kumar Reddy, he would have taken advantage of some footholes. When Jadeja came to bowl, the New Zealand batsmen were well set.”
Talking about his latest video on his YouTube channel ‘Cheeky Cheeka’, the former India World Cup winner said that Reddy’s pace did not trouble the Kiwi batsmen, and they managed to trouble the hosts.
He said, “Reddy has ideal pace and was easy to negotiate with. Reddy’s bowling allowed New Zealand’s batsmen to settle down. He should not have bowled for long periods. Jadeja should have bowled first and then Reddy.”
He pointed out that Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja have failed and on the other hand, Harshit Rana is giving away runs in his second spell in almost every game.
“Kuldeep has been ineffective throughout the series. Jadeja’s bowling has been poor.” – Chris Srikkanth
Srikanth claimed that both India’s spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav have proved ineffective in the series. He told that the match slipped from India’s grip in the middle overs.
Chris Srikkanth said, “Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav were ineffective. Kuldeep was ineffective in the entire series. Jadeja’s bowling was poor.” Jadeja did not get any wicket in the series and Kuldeep Yadav got only three wickets.
Nitish Kumar Reddy had a chance to bowl eight overs but he also gave away runs in the middle overs and hence, India had to stop the flow of runs when it mattered most.
Srikkanth’s brutal attack on the Indian star, “He is leaking runs in the second spell.”
Kris Srikkanth has once again slammed Harshit Rana for his poor performance and rapid leakage of runs. Srikkanth said that Harshit Rana was giving away runs in his second spell and hence he should be relieved from his overs with the new ball.
“Harshit Rana bowled well with the new ball, but gave away runs in his second spell. If we look at his first spell, he bowled well and took two wickets, but he gave away 84 runs in his 10 overs.”
The former BCCI selector said, “Mohammad Siraj has been brilliant and has been bowling well consistently. Like always, Arshdeep Singh somehow takes wickets in the first over. Rana should also bowl in the 15th or 16th over and keep his 2-3 overs in the end. He is giving away runs in the second spell.”
His only words of praise for Harshit Rana were, “He batted brilliantly in the second half.”
Also read: Shubman Gill gives absurd verdict on Ravindra Jadeja’s ODI future