Shubman Gill has been trolled by fans and former cricketers for not utilizing Washington Sundar, who impressed in the previous Test, despite other bowlers struggling.England resumed their first innings on Day 3 at 225/2. The Indian bowling attack failed to make a breakthrough in the morning session, despite rotating all bowling options, including Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. However, the Indian skipper is yet to give the ball to Washington Sundar in the session.
Team India skipper Shubman Gill has come under scrutiny during the third day (Friday, July 24) of the fourth Test match at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Former cricketer Ravi Shastri has said that it was strange to see India bring in Washington Sundar late into England’s innings, especially when Washington Sundar had taken four wickets in the Lord’s Test, as India’s tactics didn’t seem to fit the bill in Manchester, and now, a series defeat looms large.
At stumps on the third day, England were 544/7, stretching their first innings lead to 186 runs. Once Washington Sundar was introduced into the attack, he dismissed Ollie Pope and Harry Brook, further highlighting Gill and his inexperienced leadership on the international stage.
Washington Sundar’s Minimal Bowling Role Raises Eyebrows to many
Washington Sundar’s limited involvement with the ball has drawn attention once again in the ongoing series against England. Washington Sundar was India’s most economical bowler at Lord’s, yet the off-spinner continues to be underused.
India were thoroughly outplayed in Manchester — a rare low point in an otherwise competitive tour. Washington Sundar’s spell on the fourth day of the Lord’s Test had brought India back into the contest. However, India narrowly lost by 22 runs.
Washington Sundar broke through by dismissing Joe Root, Jamie Smith, and Ben Stokes in quick succession. His figures of 4 for 22 in just over 12 overs showcased his control and impact, making his continued underuse all the more baffling. A similar situation arose during the Boxing Day Test in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, when Washington Sundar wasn’t introduced into the bowling attack until the 53rd over. prompting backlash from both fans and cricket analysts.
Manchester is witnessing the prime English brilliance as the hosts are dominating the Indian bowlers in the first innings. As England batters were already hitting hard, Joe Root’s remarkable innings of 150 runs put the Indian side into hot water. After grabbing two early wickets, India’s bowlers hit a wall in their hunt for the third scalp, and tactical missteps soon drew attention. As Shubman Gill introduced Washington Sundar only in the later stages, former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar questioned Gill’s move.
Sanjay Manjrekar criticizes Shubman Gill’s leadership
After a tough Day 2 in Manchester, Day 3 began with India sinking deeper into trouble. After two costly scalps, Team India hunted long for the third wicket as long as Ollie Pope and Joe Root stitched a 144-run partnership, and that changed the tide. While the other bowlers were struggling to secure the scalp, Shubman Gill’s delayed move to bring Washington Sundar in attack raised eyebrows.
Introduced into the attack late, Washington Sundar tore through the key stand, trapping Pope for 71 and then getting Harry Brook for just 3. He completely shifted the momentum of the game. After the day ended, speaking on Star Sports, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar questioned Gill’s delayed use of Sundar, especially with conditions perfectly suited for him.
“That he [Gill] went to Washington Sundar post 60 overs was just hard to understand. This is a guy who has just given you a reminder in the last Test match by getting four wickets. Also, when the second new ball was due, I just saw his keenness to go to the second new ball quickly. There was Ben Stokes out there clearly not comfortable against spin.
“It almost like he goes to spin reluctantly and even when they deliver, he’s not keen to stay with them,” the 60-year-old went on to add.
The Manchester Test became more challenging for India as England solidified their position with a strong batting performance. After a strong start and relentless consistency, the hosts stacked up a massive 544/7 by stumps, leading by 186 runs and putting India firmly on the back foot.
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