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Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar is impressed by Ajinkya Rahane’s area placements however mentioned he’ll chorus from praising his captaincy as it’s nonetheless “early days” and he doesn’t wish to be accused of backing a fellow Mumbaikar.
Taking cost of the workforce within the absence of normal skipper Virat Kohli, Rahane marshalled his assets nicely as India dismissed Australia for a sub-par 195 in 72.3 overs on the opening day of the second Test right here.
Asked for his feedback on Rahane’s management, Gavaskar mentioned: “… let’s not soar into conclusions too rapidly. If I say that his captaincy is excellent, then once more, I will likely be accused of backing a Mumbai boy and all types of issues will occur.
“So I don’t want to get into that because these are early days,” the legendary batsman mentioned on Sony Sports Network.
Gavaskar was impressed with Rahane’s area placements as three Australian batsmen — Marnus Labuschange, Steve Smith, and Travis Head — had been all caught by fielders deployed at totally different positions.
That’s wicket No.4 for @Jaspritbumrah93 🔥
Lyon departs.
Australia 191/9 https://t.co/lyjpjyeMX5 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/jO5esZBzIE
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 26, 2020
“From what I have seen in the last 2 Tests he captained and the one-day matches he captained, he has got a great sense of where the fielders should be kept,” Gavaskar mentioned.
“Having said that, it’s very important for the bowlers to bowl to their field. If the bowlers bowl to the field, as they did today, then the captain looks very good.”
Rahane was spectacular along with his bowling adjustments additionally. He launched R Ashwin inside the primary hour of play and the senior spinner delivered, dismissing Matthew Wade and Steve Smith to cut back Australia to 38 for 3.
Rahane additionally didn’t give debutant Mohammed Siraj a single over earlier than lunch break as he knew that his power is producing tempo and motion with semi-new and outdated ball because the pacer returned with two essential wickets.
Gavaskar mentioned it was necessary to attribute India’s success on the opening day to the efforts made by the bowling unit.
“It’s important for India to look beyond the fact that it’s only Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy. It’s the way Ashwin bowled, it’s the way Bumrah bowled, it’s the way Siraj made his debut,” the 71-year-old mentioned.
“I imply think about, being a new-ball bowlers, and also you don’t get to bowl a single supply earlier than the second session. Only within the second session, you get to bowl within the twenty seventh over however he confirmed nice spirit in the best way he got here and bowled.
“It tells you a lot about this Indian team that they were at the Australians and they got the early wicket. If they hadn’t got the early wicket, if Australia had gotten to a 60 or 70 for 0 kind of start, then their body language might have been different.”
Gavaskar was “pretty surprised at the fact that on Day 1 there’s a lot of turn for the Indian spinners.”
Ashwin exploited the flip and bounce on the MCG to seize three wickets for 35, which included the prized scalp of Smith, who was dismissed for a duck for the primary time in over 4 years in Test cricket.
“He’s (Ashwin) been bowling straight, he’s been bowling on the middle and leg, it’s been pretty much a plan to try and restrict the batsmen from playing any shot through the off-side,” Gavaskar instructed 7 cricket.
“If you look at Smith’s dismissal because maybe he was on zero he wanted to get off the mark, wasn’t able to control it.”
Former stars hail stand-in captain Rahane’s management
India’s stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane drew reward for his tactical acumen with former stars hailing his efficient bowling adjustments that put the guests in a dominating place within the second Test towards Australia right here on Saturday.
Australia opted to bat nevertheless it was India that seized the initiative with Rahane shuffling his bowlers neatly to maintain the hosts below the pump.
Whether it was the early introduction of off-spinner R Ashwin or the choice to carry again debutant Mohammed Siraj, all his ploys yielded outcomes and finally the hosts had been all out for 195.
“Outstanding bowling changes and really smart fielding placements from Rahane. And the bowlers delivered. Ashwin, (Jasprit) Bumrah, Siraj were absolutely brilliant. Great effort to get Australia all out for 195 on the first day. Now for the batters to get a good first innings lead,” former India opener Virender Sehwag tweeted.
Rahane is main the aspect within the absence of normal captain Virat Kohli, who’s on paternity go away.
Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting mentioned the credit score to India’s success on the opening day goes to Rahane’s captaincy.
“(Rahane’s captaincy) has been brilliant so far. We were all a bit worried about how they were going to pick themselves up after Adelaide. I think they looked potentially better today,” Ponting instructed cricket.com.au.
“Rahane’s area placements, bowling adjustments have all been just about spot on. With captaincy, making bowling adjustments and altering the sector, you want guys to have the ability to execute nicely. Some of the wickets they bought immediately, even Smith at leg slip early on, I feel that was a set plan.
“Joe Burns’ dismissal would have been exactly how they wanted it.”
Bumrah (4/56) dismissed 4 Australia batsmen whereas Siraj (2/40) accounted for 2.
Australian spin legend Shane Warne was extraordinarily happy with the best way motion unfolded on day one.
“What a terrific day of cricket at the MCG today. Congrats to the ground staff on preparing the best wicket at the MCG for a long time. More of these type of pitches please ! The Indian bowlers were outstanding too & very well lead (sic) by @ajinkyarahane88! Can India bat all day?,” the leg-spinner tweeted.
Former India batsman VVS Laxman was impressed with debutants Shubman Gill, and Mohammed Siraj and the brand new chief on the helm.
“Excellent day’s play for India. Bowlers were once again sensational, both the debutants looked confident, Rahane captained the side really well but most importantly they didn’t carry the baggage of the loss from Adelaide,” Laxman tweeted.
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