'Send In A Guy Who Can Play': Commentator Roasts India's Failed Nightwatchman Siraj

Simon Doull criticised India's decision to send Mohd. Siraj (Source: X.com/@cricfans9 and PTI) Simon Doull criticised India's decision to send Mohd. Siraj (Source: X.com/@cricfans9 and PTI) 

India had an eye-scratching collapse in just eight balls during the third Test match between India and New Zealand at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Rohit Sharma's army lost three wickets and was reduced to 86/4 in the final hours of the first Day.

Shubman-Siraj Waste A Review

Former New Zealand cricketer now turned commentator Simon Doull has expressed that the decision to send Mohammed Siraj to bat was not too much of a wise choice made by the Indian team. In fact it turned out to be the worst decision ever as clueless Shubman-Siraj costed a review as well.

Speaking on JioCinema, following the conclusion of Day 1, Doull highlighted that it is essential to bring in a player who can play instead of sending a 'No.11' player. He further said that Ravichandran Ashwin would have been a more sensible choice since he could bat and get through the night.

"If you going to be having a player out in the middle, he has to be able to play. You can't be sending your No.11 or your senior bowler out there. If it was going to be someone, it had to be Ashwin, because he can actually bat, get through the night, come tomorrow here and score runs because he is good enough to do that," he said.

Doull Highlights Siraj's Lack Of Spin Proficiency 

He also said that despite New Zealand's brilliance in the game, the Kiwi spinners have not bowled too well, and since the conditions were tricky and the ball was turning, sending a player who is not proficient against spin was a big mistake.

"But in tricky conditions, when the ball is turning, and to be fair, Ajaz hadn't bowled well. New Zealand spinners haven't actually bowled that well. There were a couple past the bat, but it wasn't consistent enough.

To send a player out there who bats 10 or 11, and is not proficient against spin on turning conditions, I thought was a big mistake. If Virat Kohli is not going to come out - and I totally understand, a lot of batters around the world that do that – would prefer to have a nightwatchman, would prefer to be out there tomorrow. But send in a guy who can play, please!," he further said.

Meanwhile, after unfortunately losing Virat Kohli also, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant are shouldering the responsibility of getting India out of trouble and building a solid partnership.