.jpg?type=hq)
Gautam Gambhir and Ravi Shastri (Source: AFP)
India’s batting troubles continued in the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati. This led to a harsh criticism from former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who questioned Gautam Gambhir’s tactical choices. India were bowled out for 201, conceding a massive 288-run first-innings lead to the visitors. The collapse from 65/0 to 122/7, losing seven wickets for just 57 runs.
The defeat in the first Test in Kolkata had already put pressure on the team, and the Guwahati collapse has now pushed India to the brink of a series whitewash at home.
Shastri questions 'Confusing' batting order calls
Speaking on commentary, Ravi Shastri did not hold back while criticising Gambhir’s decisions, especially the use of Washington Sundar. In the first Test in Kolkata, Sundar was promoted to No. 3, but in Guwahati, he was suddenly pushed down to No. 8.
"No, absolutely not. It makes no sense. I don't understand the thought process there. I mean, when they look back at this series, some of the selections… still trying to figure out the thought process there. For example, you play 4 spinners in Kolkata and bowl one of the spinners for just one over. Ideally, you should have gone in with a specialist batter. Similarly, here, making Washington Sundar bat at 3 in the last Test, but you could have easily made him bat at No. 4 here, now that you have a No. 3. He [Sundar] is no No. 8. He's way better than a number 8," Shastri said.
He also highlighted India’s confusing strategy in Kolkata, where four spinners were chosen but one bowled only a single over, another puzzling selection call that the former coach pointed out.
Is Gambhir experimenting too much?
Shastri hinted that India’s instability is coming from too much experimentation under Gambhir’s early tenure as head coach. He said the constant shuffling of roles has made the lineup uncertain and unsettled.
“When they look back at this series, some selections… I’m still trying to figure out the thought process. It’s like a game of musical chairs.”
India's collapse raises big questions
India started Day 3 on a cautious note at 9/0, with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal adopting a conservative approach. But once the first wicket fell, the innings collapsed in no time. It is right to be said that the India’s batters gifted their wickets through poor shot selection and a lack of clarity.
It took a fighting 72-run partnership between Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav to prevent further embarrassment, but India still ended far behind South Africa’s first-innings score of 489.
