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.
On his birthday, let's take a look at what made Sourav Ganguly one of the most influential and transformational captains in Indian cricket history. Ganguly's bold leadership, fearless attitude, and eye for young talent have left a lasting impact on the team. He taught them to believe, to fight, and to never be afraid of defeat. Without his contributions, the careers of Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, and MS Dhoni may have turned out very differently. Ganguly's legacy has forever changed the culture of Indian cricket, breaking down barriers of hierarchy and bringing a new level of confidence and aggression to the team.
South African cricketer Wiaan Mulder's unbeaten knock of 367 not out has put him in an elite club of players who have scored 350 or more in a Test match. He is also only the third batsman in Test history to hit 100+ runs in two different sessions of the same innings. With this, he has also broken records for the highest individual South African score in Tests and the highest Test score in Zimbabwe.
On his 44th birthday, MS Dhoni, affectionately known as 'Mahi' by fans, received a flood of well-wishes from fans and former teammates. Among those sending their regards was cricketer Deepak Chahar, who shared a special bond with Dhoni both on and off the field. As one of India's most successful cricket captains, Dhoni has amassed impressive records in all formats, including leading the Indian team to the top of the ICC Test rankings and securing five IPL titles with the Chennai Super Kings.
After a lot of debate and speculation about whether Akash Deep's delivery that clean bowled Joe Root in the recent England-India Test match was a no ball or not, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has officially stated that it was indeed a legal delivery. Despite some confusion regarding the positioning of Deep's back foot, the MCC has clarified that the first point of contact of the foot with the ground is what determines a no ball, not subsequent positioning. The dismissal was a crucial breakthrough for India, helping them to seal a convincing series-levelling win against England.
Akash Deep led the charge for India against England in the second Test at Edgbaston, becoming the first visiting fast bowler to pick a five-wicket haul in the fourth innings at the venue. He finished the match with an impressive 10 wickets and also reached a unique milestone of being the first bowler in 49 years to dismiss four of England's top five batters in an innings on his own. Shubman Gill also played a crucial role in India's victory, earning the player of the match award for his 430 runs throughout the Test. This historic win brings the series level at 1-1 and cements India's dominance in the longest format of the game.
South Africa's stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder created history on the second day of the second Test against Zimbabwe by becoming the fifth-highest individual scorer in cricket history with an unbeaten 367*. Mulder, who also holds the record for the highest individual score by a Proteas batter in Test cricket, came dangerously close to surpassing Brian Lara's legendary 400*, but decided to declare the innings at 626/5. Despite missing out on breaking Lara's record, Mulder's scorching strike rate of 109.88 is the best among all triple-centurions in Test cricket.
India's fast-bowling sensation Akash Deep dedicated his extraordinary performance in the 2nd Test match against England to his elder sister, who is currently battling cancer. Tears of joy and emotion flowed as he revealed her personal struggle during a post-match interview, marking a poignant moment in cricket history. Despite facing hardships in his own journey, Akash's resilience and dedication have propelled him to the forefront of Indian cricket and his message to his sister is a powerful reminder of the bond between family and the support behind every success.
Wiaan Mulder's decision to declare his innings at 367, just 34 runs short of breaking Brian Lara's record, has sparked debates in the cricket world. Despite breaking multiple records, including the highest score by a first-time captain, Mulder chose to put the team's victory above personal achievements and respect Lara's legendary status. However, many are questioning if Mulder should have taken the chance to surpass the record and cement his name in history.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Grigor Dimitrov was unable to finish his Wimbledon match against Jannik Sinner despite holding a 2-0 lead. Dimitrov showed impressive form throughout the first two sets, but was ultimately hindered by an elbow injury that impacted his ability to hit powerful forehands. The audience was left in awe of Dimitrov's relentless determination and resilience, but ultimately had to watch as the Bulgarian had to retire from the match.
As Wimbledon enters its second week, top names like Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek continue to dominate in their matches. Meanwhile, rising star and world No 1 Jannik Sinner is also proving his worth on the court. Stay tuned for all the updates and analysis from another exciting day of tennis at Wimbledon.