CRICKET
Team India suffered their first-ever whitewash in Tests at home, comprising three matches or more, when New Zealand beat them by 25 runs in the final match in Mumbai on Sunday (Nov 3). Having already conceded a 2-0 lead, Rohit Sharma-led India were determined to end on a high and needed only 147 for a win. However, the home side collapsed for 121 on Day 3 to suffer a humiliating whitewash. Thus, BCCI is set to discuss the series loss in detail and one of the topics will be the pitches used in the second and third Test, in Pune and Mumbai, respectively. After the first Test in Bengaluru, which India lost by eight wickets, the pitches used for Pune and Mumbai were spin-friendly (despite Indian batters' spin woes). During current coach Gautam Gambhir's predecessor Rahul Dravid's tenure, India went against making rank turners in home Tests. However, it is reportedly believed that Gambhir went back to the tactic, despite resistance from majority part of the team management comprising senior players, during the NZ series, The move, however, maid India pay a heavy price with twin defeats. "The decision to go back to rank turners caught a few people in the board by surprise. The new support staff under Gautam Gambhir will be asked about their vision for taking the team forward," the Times of India quoted a source as saying. Also read: Sunil Gavaskar SLAMS Gautam Gambhir's stint as India coach, makes BOLD claim on Rohit, Kohli's Test future Gambhir became India's coach in July, succeeding Dravid. He has been given a freehand in selecting his support staff, where he brought in several foreigners (which, as per reports, wasn't the BCCI's preference). Moreover, the former Indian opener attained a rare seat at the selection committee meeting for the forthcoming Australia tour. However, an ODI series loss in Sri Lanka and a home series humiliation versus New Zealand clearly suggests that things aren't looking bright for Gambhir and his team. BCCI will monitor his team's progress closely and several questions can be raised going ahead if India's fortunes do not change starting with the all-important Australia tour. None
What’s New
Spotlight
Advertisement
Featured News
Latest From This Week
Popular News
