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.
In an insightful interview with OneFootball, Cole Palmer opened up about his thoughts on Chelsea's recent defeat against Bayern Munich in their Champions League match. The midfielder discussed the team's performance, taking responsibility for mistakes and also expressing his belief that they deserved more from the game. Despite their loss, Palmer's goal brought some consolation for the Blues, showing his determination and fighting spirit.
After Atlético Madrid's unexpected victory over Liverpool, manager Diego Simeone revealed that he was constantly insulted by the home fans throughout the match. Simeone's frustration reached a boiling point when he confronted the Liverpool fans following their winning goal, resulting in his dismissal from the game. New footage shows the altercation, shedding new light on the incident.
Liverpool once again show their attacking prowess and resilience as they secure a late, dramatic victory against Atletico Madrid. The Reds started strong, taking an early two goal lead, but Atleti fought back to level the score in the second half. However, Liverpool's winning mentality prevailed as they score a stoppage time winner to secure the three points. New signing Alexander Isak impresses in his first start for the club, with promising interplay and link-ups with fellow attackers.
Chelsea's new manager, Enzo Maresca, made headlines with his intense and controversial press conference following the team's 3-1 loss to Bayern Munich. Despite starting off calm, Maresca's emotions got the best of him and he received a booking that could have easily led to a red card. The incident left many wondering about Maresca's temper and how it might affect the team's performance in the future.
After a promising start, Chelsea suffered a 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in their first Champions League match of the season. Cole Palmer, who scored the only goal for Chelsea, expressed disappointment in the team's performance and felt they deserved more. Despite the loss, Palmer showed promise for future matches with his impressive performance.
Atletico Madrid came back from a 2-0 deficit to draw with Liverpool in a thrilling Champions League match at Anfield. Despite conceding two goals in the first six minutes, Atleti continued to fight and managed to score just before half-time, thanks to Marcos Llorente. The second half saw both teams battle it out, but with less than 10 minutes remaining, Llorente scored his second goal of the night to secure a draw for Atletico and ignite wild celebrations in the away end.
Vincent Kompany's impressive leadership and tactics have turned Bayern Munich into a top European contender again. In their recent UEFA Super Cup match against Chelsea, Bayern's new signing Michael Olise played a key role in their dominant victory. Neuer also added to his record-breaking career, while coach Kompany defined a new level of pressing against their opponents. After the game, the coaches expressed their pleasure with the team's performance, stating that it was a fun and intense game to watch. Despite facing a strong opponent in Chelsea, Bayern was able to remain focused and play at a high level.
England striker Harry Kane put on a scoring masterclass in Bayern Munich's 3-1 Champions League win against Chelsea. A penalty and a beautifully curled shot secured Kane a brace, while Michael Olise impressed for Bayern and Cole Palmer returned to the starting lineup to score a goal on his 100th appearance for Chelsea. The Blues' defensive mistakes proved costly as they were outplayed by Bayern's strategic gameplay.
Man City's Cole Palmer picks up an injury during the team's Champions League match against Bayern Munich. Manager Enzo Maresca claims that Palmer is "okay" despite being seen holding his groin at full time. Fans remain worried about the young player's condition.
Liverpool fans can expect to see new signing Alexander Isak make his debut in the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, as he joined the squad for training ahead of the game. However, midfielder Curtis Jones will have to wait a little longer to make his return from injury, as he was absent from the training session. In a positive development, Alexis Mac Allister participated in the training session despite concerns over an ankle injury, while young talents Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni and Jayden Danns were also spotted.