Former cricketers question India's quality, tactics after Wellington thrashing

Tags: India tour of New Zealand 2020, New Zealand Vs India,1st Test at Wellington, Feb 21-25, 2020, India, New Zealand, Kapildev Ramlal Nikhanj, Test match

Published on: Feb 26, 2020

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India registered yet another loss in an away Test from a decent position at Wellington. Having been bowled out for the 165, the Indian bowlers fought back hard to have New Zealand at 225

India registered yet another loss in an away Test from a decent position at Wellington. Having been bowled out for the 165, the Indian bowlers fought back hard to have New Zealand at 225 for 7, a lead of 60 with just three wickets in hand.

However, the last three wickets added precious runs to take New Zealand to 348, a match-defining lead of 183 and even the best usa online casinos would have not have had India to lose but they faltered in the second innings again to end up losing by 10 wickets. Kyle Jamieson and Trent Boult frustrated India with some big hits.

The loss added to the list of disappointments India has registered away from home in recent years. Centurion, Edgbaston, Southampton, The Oval and now Wellington -- the list keeps growing.

Former New Zealand all-rounder Craig McMillan took a dig at India's number one Test ranking following the thrashing at Basin Reserve. "They didn't make any adjustments in the way they played, they threw their hands at the ball as they do in India," McMillan told Radio Sport.

"When the ball doesn't bounce above knee-high you can get away with some of those shots -- in New Zealand you don't," he added.

McMillan also praised the New Zealand fast bowling duo of Tim Southee and Trent Boult, both of whom had an excellent game.

"When the ball's swinging, and it did for most of that Wellington Test, Boult and Southee are geniuses," he stated, adding, "I haven't seen India, the number one Test side in the world, dismantled like they were over those four days in Wellington."

Ex-India skipper Kapil Dev also hit out at Virat Kohli's boys in the wake of the Wellington disaster. "We have to praise New Zealand, they are playing very good cricket. The three ODIs and this Test match, they have been excellent.

"If we analyze this match critically, well, I do not understand how one can make so many changes. There is a new team in almost every match. No one in the team is permanent, if there is no security over your place, it will affect the form of the players," Kapil told ABP News.

The famed Indian batting line-up failed to post 200 in either inning, which cost India dearly. "Such big names in the batting order, if you cannot score even 200 runs in 2 innings, you have not been able to conquer conditions. You have to focus more on planning and strategy," Kapil added.

Kapil also expressed surprise at the exclusion of the in-form KL Rahul. "I do not understand. There is a lot of difference between when we played and what is happening now. When you build a team, you have to give confidence to players. When there are so many changes made, it does not make sense.

India will now have to win at Christchurch to square the two-match series.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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