The former Indian veteran cricketer, Kapil Dev questions the constantly changing and chopping within team India, post their disappointing show in the 1st Test Test against New Zealand. After the humiliating defeat in the ODI series, Virat Kohli & his men faced yet another heavy loss.
India had a disappointing start to their first away Test game at the Basin Reserve as they met the lethal pace of the debutant Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee. New Zealand bowlers dispatched the Indian batters back at the pavilion for just 165 runs within 69 overs in the first innings.
With things relatively-easy to go for, the hosts amassed a total of 348 runs maintaining the lead of 182 runs over India. The New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson scored 89 runs, while the bowler Jamieson amassed 44 runs off 45 balls.
The second innings saw Indian batters falling down as Trent Boult (4 wickets and 8 maiden overs) and Tim Southee (5 wickets, 6 maiden overs) made the old ball talk at the Basin Reserve. The Indian batsmen struggled against the Kiwi bowlers on the second day as they collected a total of 191 runs.
Kiwis had nine runs to chase in the second innings of the red-ball game. Black Caps easily won the 1st Test as once again Virat Kohli was left thoroughly disappointed — to look for the faults in yet another defeat.
Kapil Dev expresses his disappointment over India’s Playing XI in New Zealand tour
The former veteran allrounder of India, Dev questioned the team management for the continuously changing playing XI of India at the New Zealand tour. The star cricketer pointed out that with the continuous change in the players’ roles, the entire team and game will get affected.
The 61-years-old cricketer was disappointed with the way India played at Wellington while he congratulated New Zealand for keeping up the good game.
“Have to praise New Zealand, they are playing very good cricket. The 3 ODIs and this Test match, they have been excellent. If we analyze this match critically, well, I do not understand how can one make so many changes. There is a new team in almost every match. No one in the team is permanent, if there is no security over your place, it will affect the form of the players,” Kapil told ABP news.
‘Rahul is sitting out, doesn’t make sense’, questions Kapil Dev at the exclusion of KL Rahul in 1st Test
Furthermore, Dev also questioned the team management for not including KL Rahul in the Test game with him being in such splendid form.
“I do not understand. There is a lot of difference between when we played and what is happening now. When you build a team, you have to give confidence to players. When there are so many changes made, it does not make sense. Management believes in format-specific players. Rahul is in great form, he is sitting out, it does not make sense. I believe when a player is in form, he needs to play,” the legendary all-rounder said.
Meanwhile, the 1983 World-cup-winning skipper was disappointed with the way India toppled down without being able to score even 200 runs in the two innings.
“Such big names in the batting order, if you cannot score even 200 runs in 2 innings, you have not been able to conquer conditions. You have to focus more on planning and strategy,” he further added.
Indian cricketers scored a total of 165 runs in the first innings while amassing a mere total of 191 runs.
Now, all eyes are on the second Test which will get underway at Christchurch on February 29.