India’s coach Ravi Shastri, in a recent interaction with the media, conceded that his team was ‘conservative’ and ‘tentative’ in their approach during the Wellington Test.
With an absolute green-top on offer, the Indian batting order collapsed in both innings of the Test match. Only Ajinkya Rahane and Mayank Agarwal looked comfortable during their stay at the crease in the first Test.
Also, India’s number three, Cheteshwar Pujara received quite a substantial amount of criticism for his ultra-defensive approach, along with Hanuma Vihari.
Pujara consumed as many as 128 deliveries to score 28 runs in aggregate during his outing at Basin Reserve.
“They are an experienced outfit. We were a little conservative and tentative in the first Test. Hopefully, that would not happen here. Everyone has to adapt in the conditions,” Ravi Shastri was quoted as saying by ANI.
Further, the New Zealand team, backed by their skipper Kane Williamson, who scored an impressive 89, posted 348 in their first innings.
Shastri opined that conditions were feasible for batting from Day 2 onwards, and the likes of Trent Boult and Tim Southee used their home conditions to trouble the Indian batsmen.
“I thought conditions for New Zealand were far better on day one of the first Test. The conditions eased when India came into bowl. Familiarity in conditions also helped the Kiwi side as you know what Southee and Boult did,” added the Indian coach.
With only three wickets in hand, 60 runs ahead, India conceded a lead of 183 to New Zealand in the first innings of the Test, failing to dislodge the Kiwi tailenders.
It was not the first the Indian team faced issues dismissing tailenders. Post-2018, India lost Test matches abroad from vantage points in Edgbaston, Centurion, Oval, and Southampton, after failing to clinch the final four-wickets of the opposition.
“It has been a problem for us for a year now. We have had a chat about it. We will look to address it in a different manner. You will see,” assured Shastri.
