Gill’s Tactical Decisions Under Scrutiny

India’s captain Shubman Gill faces criticism for his strategic choices during the ongoing fourth Test against England in Manchester. The focus of the debate is his decision to delay the introduction of spinner Washington Sundar into the attack until the second session on Day 3. Sundar, who had previously taken four wickets in the last match, was expected to play a crucial role. However, by the time he was brought on, England’s top-order batsmen, including Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, and Joe Root, had already inflicted significant damage.

Manjrekar and Gambhir Weigh In

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his concerns about Gill’s decision-making process. He suggested that head coach Gautam Gambhir or senior players should have provided guidance to the young captain. Manjrekar questioned whether these decisions were made solely by Gill and emphasized the importance of input from experienced team members. Gautam Gambhir also faced questions regarding his role in the decision-making process. Critics argue that as a coach, Gambhir should have ensured that Sundar was utilized more effectively, especially given his performance in previous matches.

India Trails as England Dominates

At the end of Day 3, India trails England by 186 runs in the five-match series, with England leading 2-1. Joe Root’s impressive 150 runs have put England in a commanding position, leaving India with a challenging task ahead.

Ravi Shastri Advocates for Spinner Trust

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri also weighed in on the situation, emphasizing the need for Gill to place more trust in his spinners. Shastri highlighted Sundar’s previous success and argued that spinners thrive on longer spells. He urged Gill to give Sundar more responsibility and allow him to make an impact on the game.