Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull expressed disbelief as India sent pacer Mohammed Siraj as a nightwatchman in the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai. India had just lost a well-set Yashasvi Jaiswal before stumps on Day 1, creating a critical moment in the match. Doull, commentating on JioCinema, was surprised that Siraj came out to bat instead of senior batter Virat Kohli. According to Doull, this move showed India’s cautious approach but was questionable given Siraj’s limited batting skills.
Siraj’s Golden Duck
India’s tactic to use Siraj as a nightwatchman quickly fell apart. Siraj faced just one delivery from spinner Ajaz Patel before being dismissed for a golden duck. Patel bowled a sharp ball in the middle-and-leg line, beating Siraj on the outside and hitting him on the back pad. The umpire raised his finger immediately. Siraj, after consulting non-striker Shubman Gill, opted for a review, which only confirmed his dismissal and wasted a review for India.
Doull’s Disapproval
Doull voiced his frustration over India’s choice, questioning why they didn’t send a more capable batter like R Ashwin. “Send in a guy who can play, please!” Doull exclaimed. He argued that Ashwin, known for his skill against spin, would have been a better choice to navigate the challenging last overs. According to Doull, sending Siraj, a tailender, didn’t make sense as he lacked the experience to face quality spin bowling on a turning pitch.
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“If you’re sending someone out to bat, they need to play,” Doull emphasized. “Ashwin would have been a better choice because he can handle spin, survive through the night, and possibly score runs the next day.”
Doull Sees the Logic but Calls It a “Big Mistake”
While Doull criticized the decision, he acknowledged the psychology behind it. Many teams prefer to shield key batters like Kohli from the risks of late overs. “I understand that many top batters prefer not to come out at night,” Doull noted. “Many prefer a nightwatchman to take the final deliveries so they can start fresh the next day.”
Despite this reasoning, Doull still felt India made a “big mistake” by sending out a tailender in such a critical situation. He suggested that if Kohli was unwilling to bat, someone like Ashwin, with better batting skills, should have been chosen instead.
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