Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar wasn’t happy with India’s decision to take the second new ball straightaway on Day 1 of the 4th Test against Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday, March 9. Manjrekar opines that the hosts had the option to delay taking the second new ball, questioning Rohit Sharma’s call.
India conceded as many as 54 runs in 9 overs after taking the second new ball as their pacers struggled to get their line and lengths right, allowing Australia all-rounder Cameron Green to score freely. Australia went to Stumps on Day 1 of the final Test at 255 for 4, riding on the back of an unbeaten 85-run stand for the 5th wicket which came in just 116 balls.
On a pitch that offered enough for the batters on Day 1, unlike the ones in Nagpur and Delhi, India did not play the patience game properly and paid the price for it, allowing Australia to take control of the Test match.
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During a chat on Star Sports, Sanjay Manjrekar said, “When you watch cricket in the 80s and 90s, when the second new ball was available, there was a lot of thought given to whether we should go for it because the old ball was working well enough for you. This is a pitch where magic won’t happen, the second new ball is not going get you 4-5 wickets. it’s not impossible, but it’s highly unlikely. Teams mulled over and saw whether the old ball was good enough.”
He further added, “But, India went for the attacking option, took the 2nd new ball. This was slightly on the cards because it was a flat pitch, the spinners were not going to get anything out of it. The seam bowlers were bowling well with the old ball. India had got a couple of quick wickets.”
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Explaining it further Sanjay Manjrekar said, “Maybe, they could have carried on with the old ball for another 10 overs. if they had found out that nothing was happening with the old ball, then they should have picked the 2nd new ball. The second new ball in these conditions is a double-edged sword. Cameron Green has got it eyes in.”
Australia will look to make the most of their dominant batting show on Day 2 as the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium has shown no signs of wear and tear. The visitors, who bounced back with a resounding 9-wicket win in Indore, will be hoping to bat big and put the pressure on the Indian battles in the 4th and final Test.
