Former India captain Kapil Dev has criticized the Indian team for their poor performance against New Zealand in the recently concluded Test – which the visitors lost by 10 wickets at Basin Reserve in Hamilton.
India’s first World Cup-winning skipper has questioned the Indian team management for making too many changes constantly. Kapil expressed that due to regular changes, players don’t feel secure, which eventually impacts their game.
“We have to praise New Zealand, they are playing very good cricket. The three ODIs and this Test match, they have been excellent. If we analyse this match critically, well, I do not understand how one can make so many changes. There is a new team in almost every match. No one in the team is permanent, if there is no security over your place, it will affect the form of the players,” Kapil told ABP News as quoted by Hindustan Times.
Kapil referred to big names in the Indian squad like Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and said if the team is not able to post 200 runs in two innings, then it gives an impression that the team has failed to read conditions.
“Such big names in the batting order, if you cannot score even 200 runs in 2 innings, you have not been able to conquer conditions. You have to focus more on planning and strategy,” added the veteran player.
Kapil was also surprised by the non-inclusion of KL Rahul in the Test side. He stated that a player should be picked on his form. He said it doesn’t make sense when an in-form player sits out.
“I do not understand. There is a lot of difference between when we played and what is happening now. When you build a team, you have to give confidence to players. When there are so many changes made, it does not make sense. Management believes in format-specific players. Rahul is in great form, he is sitting out, it does not make sense. I believe when a player is in form, he needs to play,” the 61-year-old added further.
The second and final Test will begin from Saturday (Feb 29) at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
