Aakash Chopra has criticized India’s batting strategy on the last day of the World Test Championship final. He advised that Virat Kohli’s men’s ‘surprising’ attack in the post-lunch session not only cost them 15-20 runs but also a chance to give more pressure on their opponents.
Having lost 5 wickets for 109 runs, India’s lower-middle-order of Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin played their strokes alternately of battling out deliveries even though the field was spread out. They made crucial additions to the total of 170 but their quick dismissals left enough time for New Zealand to force a win.
“It was only a matter of 10 overs. If India batted ten more overs, they would’ve scored 15-20 extra runs….that, in turn, would’ve put more pressure on NZ. More runs, fewer overs. Indians’ batting tactic post-lunch was surprising. #WTCFinal” Aakash Chopra said in a tweet.
It was only a matter of 10 overs. If India batted ten more overs, they would’ve scored 15-20 extra runs….that in turn would’ve put more pressure on NZ. More runs, fewer overs. Indians batting tactic post lunch was surprising. #WTCFinal
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 23, 2021
Overall, India managed to set an under-par target of 139 runs with 53 overs to go on the day. Pant was the top scorer with 41 runs and got out with a messy slog against Trent Boult’s bouncer. The rest of the lineup fell to precise and controlled bowling plans from the Kiwi pacers, led by Tim Southee’s spell of 4-48.
India faces a herculean task after Tea
It's Tea on Reserve Day of the #WTC21 Final in Southampton!
New Zealand move to 19/0 and need 120 runs more to win.
We have a fascinating final session on the cards. #TeamIndia
Scorecard 👉 https://t.co/CmrtWscFua pic.twitter.com/WMfOuYvYvp
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 23, 2021
New Zealand openers player Tom Latham and Devon Conway looked fairly happy once again against India’s new-ball pace attack in the eight overs after Tea. They have raced to 19 runs without wasting a wicket and Mohammed Shami has looked the only one warning to pick wickets.
The Southampton pitch hasn’t been tested with spin after entering out of covers but with the sun shining since morning it Aakash Chopra slams India’s post-lunch batting strategywill be exciting to see if it supports some come now. That would likely be India’s best chance to make a match out of this ultimate Test – wickets from Shami and comfort from Ashwin and Jadeja.
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