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.
India's batting line-up faces a major setback as the Women's ODI World Cup semifinals nears, with star opener Pratika Rawal ruled out due to a freak injury. The team is now looking for a replacement to open alongside Smriti Mandhana, with options like Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, and even the return of Shafali Verma being considered for the crucial match against Australia. Rawal's absence will be a huge blow for India's chances of lifting the World Cup.
With the unfortunate injury of Pratika Rawal, India has named Shafali Verma as the official replacement in their squad for the Women's ODI World Cup. The 21-year-old opening batter had been dropped from the team's ODI plans but her impressive form in the shortest format has earned her this opportunity. Verma will have to fill in for the consistent Rawal, who had a phenomenal partnership with Smriti Mandhana, and impress in a format she hasn't played in since 2024.
Shafali Verma has been named as the replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal in India's squad for the World Cup semifinal against Australia. Rawal had suffered a freak injury while fielding in the last group stage game against Bangladesh. Verma, who has been in good form in domestic cricket, is expected to open the innings with Smriti Mandhana in the knockout clash. Rawal's absence will be a blow for India, as she has been a key player for the team and holds the record for the joint fastest century in ODIs.
India's promising opener, Pratika Rawal, has been ruled out of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 due to a severe ankle injury sustained during the team's last league game against Bangladesh. The injury occurred due to the wet ground conditions as the match was reduced to 43 overs per side. Rawal, who had an impressive year in international cricket, will be a significant loss for India as they face Australia in the semifinals.
According to sources, Indian ODI vice-captain, Shreyas Iyer, was admitted to the ICU at a Sydney hospital after suffering an impact injury during the third ODI against Australia. The injury appeared minor at first but after returning to the dressing room, Iyer suffered internal bleeding and was quickly admitted to the hospital by the BCCI team doctor. Fans are now anxiously waiting for Iyer's speedy recovery and return to the field.
In a major setback for Team India, opener Pratika Rawal has been ruled out of the World Cup semi-final against Australia due to an ankle injury sustained in the match against Bangladesh. Rawal, who had played a crucial role in the team's victory against New Zealand, suffered a fracture and will not be able to take part in the crucial match. There are also concerns over the fitness of wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, who was hit on her finger in the previous match and did not play against Bangladesh. As a result, India will have to make some changes to their line-up and also decide who will open the innings with Smriti Mandhana in the match against Australia.
Indian cricket fans were dealt a major blow as vice-captain Shreyas Iyer's injury turns out to be more severe than expected. The batter, who was part of the ODI squad for the upcoming Australia tour, suffered internal bleeding after attempting a diving catch in the third match of the series. He has been admitted to the ICU and will need time to recover, making his participation in the 2025 tour uncertain. Though his condition is now stable, it could have been fatal if not for the timely intervention of the BCCI's medical team.
As Australia prepares for the upcoming Ashes 2025 series, they have confirmed that stand-in captain Steve Smith will lead the team in the first Test, with Pat Cummins still recovering from a lumbar stress injury. This will be Smith's sixth time leading the team since 2021, and he has proven to be a successful captain in the past. With Cummins out, Scott Boland's recent hat-trick against the West Indies has secured his spot in the attack for the first Test. Despite Cummins resuming bowling, Cricket Australia has also announced that leg-spinner Adam Zampa will miss the T20I series against India due to personal reasons. Stay updated with all the latest sports news and live match coverage.
WNBA star Sophie Cunningham is scheduled to appear on Monday's episode of "Good Morning America", making her first appearance on the popular morning show. Cunningham, who was recently in New York City, will be joining host Robin Roberts and other guests to discuss her rise in the WNBA and her dreams of becoming a Victoria's Secret "angel". With the potential for a lockout looming, Cunningham's future in the WNBA is uncertain, but her star continues to rise both on and off the court.
Despite facing boos from fans during his post-race interview, Lando Norris delivered a dominant performance at the Mexican City Grand Prix and regained the top spot in the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship. The McLaren driver responded to the jeers by saying he couldn't stop laughing at his critics and that he would "ignore all of this". Norris, who also faced boos during the trophy presentation, brushed off the criticism and found the situation "entertaining".