Indian legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar slammed India’s decision to rest Mohammad Shami in the third test. Mohammad Shami was not at his usual best on the Day 1 of the fourth and final test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy letting more freebies in the initial spell of the first session.
Sunil Gavaskar part of the Broadcasting unit with Star Sports, said resting Shami was a blunder by the management. Gavaskar stressed India had enough rest for 8 days between the 2nd and 3rd tests, but India decided to rest Shami in the third test, where India was hammered to 9 wickets defeat
“Resting Mohammed Shami was not a smart move. You had 8 days break between the 2nd and the 3rd Test. He bowled military medium in his first two deliveries. That’s how it’s got to be. The batter is nervous, he is not yet off the mark. If he sees the ball go harmlessly to the keeper, he gets an opportunity to see what the pitch is doing,” Gavaskar said.
He further reckoned Mohammad Shami is the kind of bowler who likes to be in rhythm, but he found himself not in full flow on Day 1 as he was not bowling at his usual speed and constantly making errors in his line and length.
“Mohammed Shami is the kind of bowler who likes to be in rhythm, maybe you shouldn’t rest him. I think it’s important to get your bowling muscles going, in the gym, you don’t get your bowling muscles going,” Gavaskar said.
Though Shami was not at his usual best, he was the best bowler for India picking up 2 wickets for India on Day 1. On Reply to Sunil Gavaskar, Indian Bowling Coach Paras Mhambrey speaking to the media said that it is important to manage the workload of the player as they have an important World Test Championship final in June and also added that it is important to give opportunity for Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Siraj.
Don’t Doubt The Integrity Of Indians – Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar slammed former Australian players and media for constantly criticizing India over pitch preparation of the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
“The pitch was the same for both. Play and accept that when you come overseas, you are not going to get pitches like at home, but do not use words like skullduggery, doubting the integrity of the Indians,” Gavaskar said.
Australia made a stunning comeback in the series with a win over India in Indore. Men in Blue are leading the series by 2-1 and will look to win in Ahmedabad and book their tickets for World Test Championship final in England.