India's Rush for Second New Ball on Day 1 Backfires, Gives Australia the Edge
IND vs AUS: Cameron Green currently batting at 95* in the 4th Test (AP Photo)
Former Indian battter, Sanjay Manjrekar, expressed his disapproval of India's choice to immediately take the second new ball on the opening day of the fourth Test against Australia, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday.
The renowned commentator queried the decision made by Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, stating that India had the option to delay taking the second new ball. Following the second new ball, India gave away 54 runs in just nine overs, as their pacers struggled to find their rhythm, allowing Australia's all-rounder, Cameron Green, to score freely.
At Lunch on Day 2, Australia are away ahead in the game with their first innings score reading 347-4 after 119 overs of play.
Manjrekar questioned the decision to take the second new ball, stating that in the 80s and 90s, teams used to give a lot of thought to whether they should take the new ball, as the old ball was working well for them.
"Maybe, they could have carried on with the old ball for another 10 overs. if they would have found out that nothing was happening with the old ball, then they should have picked the 2nd new ball," Manjrekar said to Star Sports.
The erstwhile cricketer reckoned that instead, teams should have mulled over and considered whether the old ball was still good enough. He also said that the second new ball in such conditions was a double-edged sword as Green had already settled in.
In the post-lunch session, Indians would need to rejig their plans as nothing has gone their way since Cameron Green has come out to the crease to partner with Khawaja.
 "Jatin")
