India captain Rohit Sharma is facing heat for his blunder on the second day of the third Test in Rajkot. Fans were miffed with the Indian skipper after Ben Duckett gave his team an aggressive start. Duckett completed his fifty in 39 balls.
Fans said that Rohit should have introduced Ravichandran Ashwin early into the attack, given his record against the southpaw. Ashwin has dismissed Duckett 5 times in 5 matches at an average of 16.20.
Former England fast bowler Steven Finn slammed Rohit and questioned his tactics on Sky Sports.
“I think Rohit Sharma made a mistake by not giving the ball early to Ashwin. He will be working with the analyst when to bowl his bowlers and against whom,” Finn said on Sky Sports at the end of the day’s play.
“He should have got both Ashwin and Jadeja a bit early. India will come back refreshed on Day 3,” he added.
Ashwin also backed the suggestion, saying that he would have liked to bowl to Ben Duckett when he was on 0 and not when he was set on 70.
“The ideal thing would have been to bow to Ben Duckett when he was on 0 and not 60-70 runs. He is very different to bowl at when he is set. His slog sweeps were special, and he is a phenomenal talent for England. I wanted to clap for him but I didn’t. The competitor in me didn’t allow me to do that. I will try to take him on the next time,” R Ashwin said in the press conference at the end of Day 2.
England were 207 for the loss of two wickets in just 35 overs at stumps on Day 2, still trailing India by 238 runs and 8 wickets in hand. Ben Duckett was unbeaten on 133 runs off 118 balls, laced with 21 fours and 2 sixes.
Ashwin has withdrawn from the ongoing Test due to his mother’s health. She is currently admitted to a hospital.
