Shubman Gill’s captaincy came under heavy scrutiny after India’s tactical choices on Day 3 of the Manchester Test backfired. England built a commanding total of 544/7, riding on Joe Root’s sensational 150 and Ben Stokes‘ late-day heroics. However, the big talking point wasn’t just England’s dominance—it was India’s puzzling decision to leave Washington Sundar unused throughout the day.
Despite being one of the few available spin options besides Ravindra Jadeja, Sundar didn’t bowl a single over, even as England’s batters punished India’s seamers. The decision raised questions about the team’s strategy, especially since the pitch had begun offering grip and variable bounce. Sundar, who had picked four wickets in the Lord’s Test, was expected to play a bigger role, but captain Gill’s choice to not deploy him baffled many.
Experts Question Gill’s Judgment on Bowling Strategy
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar voiced his concerns during the post-match analysis, suggesting that such decisions cannot be taken in isolation. “I can’t see Bumrah, KL Rahul, or even Gambhir agreeing with this move. It’s hard to believe Gill didn’t receive any input,” he said.
Manjrekar further pointed out the inconsistency in selecting Sundar and then not using him, hinting that Gill’s inexperience as a leader in high-stakes moments may be starting to show. While Gill has demonstrated potential as a tactician in earlier matches, this situation highlighted the pressure of leading under intense scrutiny.
With two days remaining and India trailing by a significant margin, a comeback looks unlikely unless the team shows sharper decision-making and better execution. All eyes will now be on how Gill handles the remainder of the Test and whether he can restore confidence in his leadership.
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