Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri has criticised Indian skipper Shubman Gill after England piled up a commanding 544 for 7 on Day 3 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford. Shastri singled out Gill’s decision to delay bringing Washington Sundar into the attack, calling it a misstep that allowed England’s batters to play freely. When Gill brought Sundar into the attack, he quickly answered the call by removing Ollie Pope and Harry Brook in quick succession.
"He took four wickets in the last game. Then you bring that bloke after 67, 69 overs. I mean, what does it tell that player? Here, I've taken four. I should be like a front-runner, bowling within the first 30, 35 overs. And you're getting me on after 69. And then he takes the first two wickets. So tactically, I thought they were found wanting. I thought Siraj should have taken the new ball yesterday. Instead of giving it to Kamboj, who's new, playing his first Test match. That let the pressure off England. Then the bouncer tactic, which they're 24 hours late. That should have been tried yesterday to see if they could have made further inroads. So, I thought tactically a lot was missing," Shastri said on SkySports.
However, Shastri expressed confidence that Shubman Gill will grow with experience and also stressed on the role of support staff.
"I'll cite an example of Virat when he took over. He was the other way, as far as Shubman goes. He was extra, ultra-aggressive. Where you had to, at times, from the dressing room, calm him down, especially with field placing. It was a case of as if you wanted five wickets every session of play. It doesn't happen. Sometimes you've got to, you know, respect the conditions and set fields accordingly. And that's why I think the team management becomes now crucial in helping someone like Shubman Gill over the first year and a half. I think that is the key," he added.