Tactical Analysis: Mistakes done by West Indies team on Day 1

Dec 31, 2018 at 1:59 PM

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Tactical Analysis: Mistakes done by West Indies team on Day 1

Team India dominated on the Day 1 of the first Test match of the Test series. The West Indies team though chipped in regularly with few wickets in between but were never was able to gain control over the match as they committed few mistakes which proved to be costlier for them in the end.

We look at errors of Holder’s team which will give you better idea of what went wrong for the hosts on Day 1:

Not Attacking Dhawan – Though, West Indies was able to dismiss Murali Vijay early in the innings but they missed a golden opportunity as they had a chance to give a double blow to the Indian team by attacking Dhawan in the earlier part of the game. Instead, they went on a defensive and Dhawan was able to consolidate his innings. As a result, he went on to score crucial 84 runs. It looked like the West Indies bowlers were in no hurry to dismiss batsmen unless they get put playing a bad shot. Windies, though, was able to dismiss Pujara soon after lunch break but they failed to put a cap on Shikhar Dhawan, as a result he with the skipper Kohli went on to weave a good partnership and rescued the team from a tricky situation.

Devendra Bishoo’s late arrival at the bowling crease – Analysing the performance of West Indies team bowlers today, it can be said that Bishoo was the most successful bowler for them. He was highest wicket taker for the team and was troubling the batsmen. He kept a check on all of the batsmen and did not give them a chance to open their arms. Dismissing Pujara soon after lunch is a proof of this. But why introduce Bishoo after lunch break? We saw that Bishoo made an immediate impact in the first over he bowled. Surely the scene could have been much different if Bishoo was introduced before the lunch break. Another wicket before lunch could have been a bonus for West Indies but captain failed to analyse the need of the hour and waited for 2 hours to call his most experienced bowler.

Alien Field position – During the day’s play, many times it happened that the ball passed between the two fielders with both of them gazing the red cherry but no one going for it as that was not their catch. Poor field placement was another howler which the Indian team cashed upon as inexperienced Holder was more determined to place fielders near to Dhawan. Instead, he could have placed an extra fielder towards gully and slip so as to cash upon the chances that were there.

No second new ball – The new ball was available the moment the eightieth over ended. 10 overs were still remaining in the day’s play and it was a chance for the West Indies fast bowlers to attack Ashwin with an aim to get him out and to force Indian team to send a night watchman at the crease. On the contrary, Holder decided to stick to the old ball and continued with spinners. Both the batsmen were settled at the crease, as a result, no bowler could even trouble them as batsmen had their aim clear in mind, to pass the last over of the day. Both the batsmen played cautiously and in the end won the battle against the spinners. Now both will step onto the field with a fresh mind and will be ready to face the new ball. The situation could have been different if Holder would have opted for the new ball right at the moment it was available – after 80 overs.

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