IND vs ENG 2016, 4th Test: Sunil Gavaskar Criticises Alastair Cook’s Fielding Strategy
Dec 9, 2016 at 10:52 PM
Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar has been very impressed with Murali Vijay after the Indian opener played a gritty knock of 70 runs to lead India’s strong reply to England’s massive first innings total of 400.
The Tamil Nadu batsman was struggling to score big in the last few matches but roared back to form when the team was in a desperate need of a good start especially after KL got out cheaply.
Speaking to NDTV, Gavaskar said:“Vijay has worked hard to play the short ball. Anil Kumble has shown confidence in him and that is the right thing. Vijay has repaid that faith. There is still a long way to go. He needs to get a big one now.”
Vijay was ably supported by Cheteshwar Pujara (47*) as both shared an unbeaten partnership of 107 runs to help the hosts reach 146 for 1 by the end of the second day.
Speaking about Pujara’s batting and the partnership, Gavaskar said:“There is a change in the approach of Pujara’s batting. He plays his shots now. The team management has given him that license. Pujara and Vijay have a lot of confidence in each other. They have been superb together.”
Gavaskar was also not very impressed with England captain Alastair Cook’s fielding strategy. Accusing England of playing defensive cricket, he said:“The field was spread out when the Indians were batting. There were not too many fielders in catching positions. You need to build pressure on batsmen in such situations. England failed to do so despite having put plenty of runs on the board.”