Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar slammed Shubman Gill’s decision to delay bringing Washington Sundar into the attack, despite the spinner taking two key wickets and playing a vital role for India.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has pointed finger on skipper Shubman Gill and his strategies, calling his decision to deley Washington Sundar’s introduction into attack on Day 3 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford “a red flag”.
England began Day 3 at 225/2 and piled 544/7 at the end of Day 3, taking a 186-run lead and pushing India firmly on the back foot. But what really raised eyebrows was Shubman Gill’s decision to delay bringing in off-spinner Washington Sundar until the 69th over, even as the pitch was showing signs of turn and India’s pacers were clearly struggling to break the partnership.
Manjrekar questioned Gill’s captaincy decisions and called them, “a red flag”
Once Sundar was finally bought into the attack, he dismissed Ollie Pope for 71 runs and then removed Harry Brook for just 3 runs. His double-strike put India back in the game and instilled some hope for a turnaround. But at the same time many were left wondering why he had not bowled earlier, in light of his impressive 4/22 second-innings spell in the last Test at Lord’s.
Speaking on Star Sports, Manjrekar slammed Gill and said, “So him [Gill] not bowling Washington Sundar… and there’s no plausible reason for him to not bowl. I see this as a major red flag with Shubman Gill’s, you know, trait as a captain.”
Manjrekar further questioned Gill’s strategy of sticking with the underperforming pacers on a track that clearly offers turn.
Stuard Broad agreed with Manjrekar’s opinion
Former England pacer Stuart Broad shared similar views to those expressed by Manjrekar, “Everybody’s been saying, where’s Washington Sundar? Why are we not seeing him? They’re 300-odd for two and we haven’t seen the off-spinner who got 4 for 22 in the last innings at Lord’s,” said Broad on the podcast
India now have a massive task ahead of them on Day 4, with England firmly in front and Joe Root’ brilliant 150 set to lead the hosts for a series-clinching victory.
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