IND vs AUS WTC Final 2023: Continuing their struggle, India found themselves playing catch-up to Australia for the second consecutive day in the World Test Championship final. While India’s bowlers endured a disappointing performance on Day 1, Day 2 witnessed a subpar display by the batsmen. Once again, in a high-stakes ICC final, India’s top-order crumbled under pressure, with Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Virat Kohli failing to deliver when their contributions were most crucial. None of India’s top four batsmen managed to surpass 20 runs, resulting in a disheartening start to the innings. However, it was rather Pujara and Gill’s dismissal that has baffled many, including the former India coach Ravi Shastri.
Ravi Shastri slams Pujara
In a significant blow to the Indian team, two key batters, Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara, fell to the deceptive crack on the pitch. Anticipating the ball to sail over, they opted to leave it and shouldered arms, only for the delivery to sharply tail in and shatter their off-stumps. This appeared to be a miscalculation of the ball’s length by the two players, who could have potentially protected their wickets by adjusting their positions and movements to counter the line of the incoming deliveries.
According to the former coach, errors like the one made by young player Gill can be expected as he is still acclimating to the challenges of Test cricket, especially in demanding conditions against relentless bowling attacks. However, the coach expressed surprise and disappointment that Pujara, a veteran with 102 Test matches under his belt, made a costly misjudgment at a crucial moment, which was unexpected.
What did Ravi Shastri say?
Shastri said, “That is leaving it poorly because the front foot has just gone across. It should be going towards the ball; he was looking to play it and then decided whether he should leave it. You see, the way he is leaving it, the off-stump is exposed,” Shastri said watching a replay of the dismissal on Friday (June 8).
The front foot is still middle stump when it’s actually going towards off stump. Watch that front foot. It should be further across and towards the ball. He thought it was outside the off stump. It was an error in judgment.”
Continuing further, he said, “We talk about leaving the ball in England and we always talk about knowing where your off stump is. This is not knowing where your off stump is. See, Shubman Gill being a little lazy with his footwork. He will learn; he is still young, but Pujara will be very disappointed seeing that.”
It should have been a little further towards the ball and across the line of the ball. That’s why they keep telling you – know where your off stump is.”
Drawing on his own experience of representing India in English conditions and playing for Glamorgan in the County Championship during his prime, Shastri emphasized the immense value of mastering the skill of leaving the ball correctly in the United Kingdom. Given Pujara’s extensive exposure to Test cricket and his participation in county matches in England, he was expected to excel in this aspect of the game due to his accumulated knowledge and experience in such conditions.
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