The powerful Indian batting lineup was defeated by Australia’s pace attack. It was especially upsetting to see Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara get bold after playing the ball. Former coach Ravi Shastri has harshly criticised them for this. The World Test Championship Final at The Oval pits India against Australia. Australia has taken 5 early wickets after scoring 469 runs, while India has scored 151 runs.
In the first inning, they are still away by 318 runs. The top order of India, which included Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Virat Kohli, were all bowled cheaply. As one determined batter after another is bowled, former coach Ravi Shastri appears agitated.
None of India’s top four batsmen reached 20 runs. Ravindra Jadeja was instrumental in India’s 151-run victory. The match is still three days away, yet everyone is concerned about Team India’s performance. Scott Bolland bowled Gill with a dangerous inswinger, while Pujara was bowled by Cameron Green.
They both left the ball, and their stumps were both affected. It was strange because a batsman should be aware of his stumps. Ravi Shastri responded by expressing his displeasure during live commentary.
“This ruins it by letting it,” he observed. It should have gone to the ball and fired it. The manner they were leaving the ball revealed the stumps. This is a huge error.” It was distressing to see that it was the same pitch on which Pujara had scored so many runs in the County Championship the previous two years.
Even last year, when India played the delayed fifth test of the 2021 series against England in Edgbaston, Pujara was chosen for his expertise. He disappointed us not only there, but also here at The Oval.
“We always talk about leaving the ball in England, and knowing where your off stump is,” he continued. Shubman Gill’s footwork is shoddy, but Pujara will be disappointed. He should have gone for the ball right away. This is inexplicable.”
