The Perth Test commenced on Friday and the hosts managed to register the scores of 277/6 on the board at stumps on Day 1. Ahead of the game, there were a lot of talks about a green pitch before the game that propelled the Indian team to go in with four fast bowlers. However, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli wouldn’t have had the same opinion after the way things panned out on the first day. After a good start by the Aussies, it was part-time off-spinner Hanuma Vihari who came to their rescue with a couple of wickets.
Some of the tactics of Kohli in the game were immensely criticized, especially the team selection. Former Australian great Glenn Mcgrath felt that India were fooled by the green top. Others in the likes of Sunil Gavaskar and Michael Vaughan too weren’t impressed with India’s decision to go with four quicks.
Vaughan asserted that Ravindra Jadeja would’ve been a better choice on this Perth surface. He felt that skipper Kohli would rue his decision, later on, to go ahead with four fast bowlers here. Further, he continued to laud Jadeja for his fielding demeanor and drew comparisons between him with Ashwin.
WATCH – Virat Kohli Takes An Impossible Looking Catch
As per the quotes in India Today, Vaughan said, “The three quicks are outstanding and I do think over the course of the next few days Virat will be looking over his shoulder and thinking ‘why didn’t I play a specialist spinner? Jadeja is quality as well, so I would have gone with a spinner. Jadeja has also got that buzz of energy. He’s a firecracker in the field, bowls his left-arm spin. He is very similar to Ravi actually, a very similar kind of bowler.”
Ahead of the second Test, both Rohit Sharma and Ashwin were ruled out due to injuries. While Gavaskar had no issues with Vihari’s selection, he was surprised when Kohli decided to play four new ball bowlers. He remarked that India should have played according to their strengths rather than looking at the pitch.
Gavaskar opined, “They would have included Hanuma Vihari as Rohit wasn’t fit but Ashwin definitely would have played. If the ball turns, even Jadeja can turn it. Going in with four new ball bowlers, does leave you a little lopsided. It’s like saying I will play six opening batsmen. There are specialities with every batting unit, similarly with every bowling unit.”
