Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth questioned the team’s think tank and captain Shubman Gill’s decision to declare at 518-5 in the first innings of the second Test match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. India decided to bat first but declared before the tea break on the second day.
Shubman Gill was unbeaten on 129, whereas the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar were yet to bat. India decided to enforce the follow-on after the West Indies were bowled out for 248 runs in the first innings as the hosts still had 270 runs in the bank.
However, Indian bowlers were frustrated by the visitors as they posted 390 runs in the second essay, and thus India had to chase 121 runs for the win.
Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “I wouldn’t have declared on 518. I was very surprised that they declared. Had they gone on till 600, it would have knocked the West Indies psychologically out of the game. 518 is still an in between score whereas with 600, the opponent is totally out of the game. Hopefully India won’t take any team lightly like this going forward.”
Meanwhile, the 1983 World Cup-winning player added that it could have become interesting if India had to chase 250 runs in the final innings.
“India should have gone on till 600 before declaring instead of 518. With 518, the first innings lead wasn’t big (270). Very few teams enforce the follow on after Australia’s debacle against India in Kolkata in 2001. It could have become very interesting if India had to chase 250,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
“That’s where India should have batted one day and given them 1.5 days to finish them. But the one good thing is India winning after enforcing the follow-on is a positive. They showed they can win even after enforcing the follow-on.”
India will next take on Australia in a three-match ODI series.
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