Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri shared his opinion on the Indian star batters Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara as they misjudged line and length while leaving the ball outside the off-stump as it clipped the stumps as they walked out failing to deliver for the team in the Ultimate World Test Championship final.
Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara both started their innings in confidence against the well-planned Australian bowling attack at Kennington Oval. The Indian batters shot selection came under question, following the two balls that knocked their stumps in the 1st innings.
Speaking on Commentary, Ravi Shastri slammed experienced Cheteshwar Pujara over his error in judgment to leave the ball of Cameron Green, as the Indian veteran was unsure about leaving the ball, as they went to play the ball before leaving on the straight ball that clipped his off-stumps and reckons that his front foot should have been further across while playing the ball.
“That is leaving it poorly because the front foot has just gone across. It should be going towards the ball; he was looking to play it and then decided whether he should leave it.
“You see, the way he is leaving it, the off-stump is exposed. The front foot is still the middle stump when it’s going towards the off stump. Watch that front foot. It should be further across and towards the ball. He thought it was outside the off stump. It was an error in judgment,” Ravi Shastri said
In the ongoing County Championship, Cheteshwar Pujara has scored 545 runs at an average of 68.1, including three centuries leading his side Sussex to second place in the points table, but could not replicate his fine form for the Indian team in the World Test Championship final.
That’s Why They Keeping Telling You- Know Where Your Off Stump Is – Ravi Shastri
Former Indian World Cup winner Ravi Shastri feels it is important for a batter to know about, where the off stump is, as the Indian batters Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara were not aware of their footwork in the final, and reckons that the Indian opener will learn for the experience but the Pujara would be disappointed being unable to contribute the team in the Ultimate match.
“We talk about leaving the ball in England and we always talk about knowing where your off stump is. This is not knowing where your off-stump is. See, Shubman Gill is a little lazy with his footwork.
“He will learn; he is still young, but Pujara will be very disappointed seeing that. It should have been a little further towards the ball and across the line of the ball. That’s why they keep telling you – know where your off stump is,” Ravi Shastri added.
At the end of Day 2, the Indian team was 151-5, trailing by 318 runs in the 1st innings. Ajinkya Rahane and KS Bharat would have a huge task to cut out against the Australian bowlers on Day 3, as they look to reduce the margin of the lead going forward in the game, to give the Indian side a real chance to make a comeback into the Ultimate match.