Srinagar: Like other experts, former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has also lashed out at Rohit Sharma and Co for using shocking during WTC Final against Australia.
On the opening day of the Test, Travis Head and Steve Smith put Australia on top.
Meanwhile India’s tactics have been questioned by all as they left senior off spinner Ravi Ashwin out of the playing eleven.
Even former Australia captain Ricky Ponting claimed that the Asian giants have fallen into a trap in the WTC final.
Speaking to Star Sports, former Indian skipper Gavaskar called out senior pacer Umesh, who failed to make an impact after replacing Ashwin in the Indian XI against Australia.
“India missed a trick by not playing Ravi Ashwin. He’s the No. 1 Ranked bowler. You don’t look at the pitch for players like him. You are playing a World Test Championships final, and you don’t pick the number one bowler in Test cricket. This decision from Team India is beyond my understanding. I would have picked him in place of Umesh Yadav, who was out of action and looks out of rhythm,” Gavaskar said.
“There are four left-handed batters in this Australian side, and he has traditionally done well against them. It is shocking that there isn’t any off-spinner in this side,” Gavaskar added.
In the absence of Ashwin, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja operated as the sole spinner and went wicketless on Day 1 of the WTC final at The Oval. Sensational knocks from Smith (95*) and Travis Head (146*) have propelled Australia to 327-3 in 85 overs.