Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull criticized India's decision to send Mohammed Siraj as a nightwatchman after Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal in the third Test between India and New Zealand in Mumbai. Despite India's intentions being clear, the ploy backfired as Siraj was dismissed for a golden duck. Doull believes R Ashwin would have been a better option given his batting prowess against spin. However, he also understands the psychological reasoning behind the move.
Mohammed Siraj as Nightwatchman: A Disastrous Decision by India
During the third Test match between India and New Zealand in Mumbai, India's decision to send young pacer Mohammed Siraj as a nightwatchman after the dismissal of opener Yashasvi Jaiswal drew criticism from former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull.
Background
A nightwatchman is a batter who is sent in to bat late in the day, usually when the regular batters are tired or there is a risk of losing a wicket against spin. Their primary role is to protect the wickets of the main batters and see out the remaining overs of the day's play.
Doull's Criticism
Doull questioned India's decision to send Siraj, a bowler with a limited batting ability, as a nightwatchman. He argued that R Ashwin, a more experienced and skilled batter against spin, would have been a better choice.
"Siraj is a bowler, he's not a batter," Doull said. "Ashwin is a genuine all-rounder, he can bat, bowl, and field. I would have sent Ashwin in that situation."
India's Reasoning
Despite Doull's criticism, India may have had their reasons for sending Siraj instead of Ashwin. Siraj is a left-handed batter, which could have given India an advantage against New Zealand's right-arm spinner Ajaz Patel. Additionally, he has a reputation for being an aggressive batter, which could have given India a quick start to their innings.
The Result
However, the ploy backfired spectacularly as Siraj was dismissed for a golden duck, edging a delivery from Patel to the wicketkeeper.
Doull's Psychological Explanation
Doull acknowledged that India's decision may have been based on psychological factors as well. Sending a bowler as a nightwatchman can intimidate the opposition and send a message that the team is not afraid of losing wickets.
"Maybe they were trying to send a message to New Zealand," Doull said. "But it didn't work out that way."
FAQs
Why is a nightwatchman used? To protect the wickets of the main batters and see out the remaining overs of the day's play.
Who is a typical nightwatchman? A low-order batter who is not expected to score many runs but can defend against the opposing bowlers.
What factors influence the selection of a nightwatchman? Batting ability against the type of bowlers facing, handedness, and psychological impact.
Is it always the best decision to send a nightwatchman? No, it depends on the circumstances of the match and the availability of suitable batters.
What happened when India sent Siraj as a nightwatchman? Siraj was dismissed for a golden duck, exposing the fragility of India's top order and leading to criticism from some experts.
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