Anis Sajan, Mr. Cricket UAE, discusses the fallout of a rainwashed first day of World Test Championship final with Gulf News editors.
India; New Zealand; Virat Kohli; Kane Williamson; World Test Championship; cricket
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India; New Zealand; Virat Kohli; Kane Williamson; World Test Championship; cricket
See more videos at https://gulfnews.com/videos
Read more Gulf News stories here: https://bit.ly/2HLJ2km
Subscribe to Gulf News on YouTube and watch more of our videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/GulfNewsTV
#UAEnews #cricket #WorldTradeCenter
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00:00Now, I'm not sure whether India, even though they've announced their 11 players, which has two spinners, should they still go ahead and stick to that two spinners?
00:16Good evening, everyone. Welcome to Straight Bad with Gulf News and Mr. Cricket UAE, that is Anish Sargent.
00:22Before we get to today's match, over to you, Anish Sargent, to take us through the days, which was a damp squid.
00:52It's been rain and I'm afraid the whole display has been called off. Shyam and Gautam, what a bad start to the first day.
01:00Yeah, I mean, see, it is like your worst fears coming true. I don't know how often the Met department of the UK go wrong, but if I was looking up the next five days, the infographic that they do,
01:18I mean, all of them are showing those rain and cloud icons, maybe showing marginally less, you know, from today. But I don't know how much of a difference that's going to make. But one thing is sure that it's going to be a rain-affected test match, which is really a tragedy.
01:34All right. I remember during our preview, we talked about the weather, but we didn't expect it to be so bad. But we knew that English weather is always fickle. And we would expect the weather to change throughout the day. But we didn't expect a damp start.
01:49They call it the ultimate test, but it's been an ultimate letdown on the first day.
01:57So any thoughts going up from here? Because this would have an impact on the conditions of the match. You would expect some moisture in the air, you expect the ball to move about. So how do you see the match going from here, Anish?
02:14Yeah, Shyam, you rightly mentioned that this is going to definitely affect the conditions. I remember when the groundsman was asked about how the pitch is going to behave, he said that there's going to be spin and bounce if the wicket remains dry.
02:27And till Wednesday, it was around 30 degrees, it was scorching heat. And suddenly the weather changed on Thursday and Friday, today, where it was raining heavily. And as Mr. Gautam mentioned that there is rain predicted in the rest of the five days.
02:41Now, I'm not sure whether India, even though they've announced their 11 players, which has two spinners, should they still go ahead and stick to that two spinners? Because I remember in the last series in 2018, they had gone with two spinners and it was a dampener. And India's two spinners backfired. Gautam, your take on it?
03:00Yes, see, that's the interesting part. I mean, India had shown a clear thinking as of yesterday. But since that toss hasn't taken place, New Zealand, of course, are at liberty too. They haven't announced their 11. India, they can do it. But I don't think Virat will really walk that path. What does Shyam feel about it?
03:22I think they will definitely change the squad. It's my gut feeling. Simply because I know Shastri and Kohli would remember how they tactically made a bad choice during one of those tests, which Anish was mentioning. I mean, that really reflected badly on them. So that would be very much in the back of their mind.
03:45So, I'm sure they have still not… The captains have not exchanged their team list as yet. So, India is still at liberty to make changes to the team. So, I would expect one spinner to be dropped to make way for an extra baseman.
04:06And that would be Siraj, right? Shyam, you wanted Siraj to be playing.
04:10Yes, I wanted him to be playing in the team.
04:13But Anishbhai, I would slightly differ with you on that. And I would rather go with Shardul. You see, you've got three quality pacers and at No. 7, you've got a guy who can provide you with that little spine in batting. And he can move the ball in these conditions. And he could be your answer to Brendon.
04:37Well, you have a point there. You absolutely have a valid point, Gautam. But as we had mentioned in our last discussion, the problem with Shardul Thakur, that his economy rate in the long format is almost about 3. And he tends to bowl more loose balls than good balls. Whereas with Grand Om is that he bowls in the right channel.
04:58Now, what do you want? Do you want a specialist bowler to ensure that you keep the one end tight? Or do you want to have a bowler who can give you a little bit of cushion with the bat? I would rather go in with a specialist bowler. And that's the reason I would go for Siraj. But we still are debating. I am not sure whether Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli are going to, first of all, change the squad and go in for Siraj instead of one of the spinners. Shyam?
05:21I would pitch in for Siraj. Simply because when you are choosing a bowler, you are expecting the player to take wickets, not take runs. So my logic is, if your specialist batsman cannot get the runs, then why are you banking on a bowler to get runs for you? A bowler should be there to take the wickets for you. So which is why I would plump for Siraj.
05:44Alright. So my question to both of you. First, let me go to Gautam. Let's presume Virat and Ravi Shastri decide to go for a fast bowler, okay? And whether it is Siraj or whether it is Shardul Thakur, which spinner, Gautam, do you think will India live it out?
06:01I think Ashwin has to play. Ashwin has to play. I mean, you will be sacrificing on the magging length and accuracy of Jadeja. But if there is one spinner, I would play Ashwin.
06:16What about you, Shyam?
06:18I am quite undivided here. I mean, you put me in a pickle there because it's difficult to choose between the two guys here.
06:26It's a difficult choice.
06:28Yes. Because one thing is, Jadeja is a wicket-taker and also he takes the ball away from the batsman. But having said that, in a pitch where there is moisture, Ashwin can be a handful.
06:44So he could even come in first change and do some damage. I mean, he is the kind of guy who could do that. So in a condition like that, where there is not too much bite from the pitch, I think Ashwin could be more useful than Jadeja.
07:04Having said that, if I really have to make a choice, in these conditions, since there has been rain, I would go along with Gautam. I know it's not an easy choice, but I think I will go with Gautam's choice there.
07:20Fair point. I probably feel that Ashwin has probably got much more control and probably might be more decisive if there is bounce compared to Jadeja.
07:30I believe New Zealanders have at least three left-handed batsmen, starting from Devin Conway. And there is a couple of more batsmen who are left-handers. Right, Gautam?
07:42Yes. Conway, of course. And then in the lower order, you also have, yes, Letham is a right-hander. But yes, there are two more.
07:54I think Henry Nicholas is also a left-hander, if I'm not wrong. Anyways, but now I want to ask you both of you this point. What is the objective of the Indian team by announcing you're playing XI before the toss or before seeing the conditions or knowing what's happening in England?
08:18Because England is not like India. Because you know that it's going to be sunny. The weather keeps changing. So what are you trying to send out a message by announcing XI? And in case, if they decide tomorrow to change their playing XI, what's the point in it? Shyam first and then Gautam?
08:34I think there's a bit of mind games also there. That's the only thing I can see. Because a captain is entitled to change the team right up till the toss, basically before they exchange the list with the rival captain. So two things here. One could be sending out their thinking to the opposition camp.
08:54Second thing is, when you announce the team, you also inspire confidence in your teammates. So you know these guys are playing. So their minds are at rest. But having said that, they can do it quietly without announcing their team.
09:09Absolutely. Gautam?
09:12I don't see anything wrong in naming a squad early. Because those who have covered the Indian team in the past would know that they make a lot of issues about the playing XI. As if it's a kind of Da Vinci port that they're letting out.
09:30So this is a culture with Virat. In fact, consciously tried to break away and show that this is my thinking. Having said that, there should be no ego issues that whatever we have thought is cast in stone.
09:47Because he did say in the press conference yesterday that our thinking is not going to change. But on a day-to-day basis, how we are using these bowlers is going to change. So this gives him an opportunity since there was no toss. And this can be done.
10:04So technically speaking, there are countries like Australia does it quite often. They are very, very categoric. They do give out the squad before. Only the subcontinent teams have an issue about giving out teams early.
10:21And I think this is very much Kohli. He is in your face. He doesn't mind breaking the norms. He doesn't mind showing a hand. Simply because he has absolute confidence in himself as well as his own team.
10:40All right. It's a fair point. I totally agree to you. But now, as we discussed that the conditions look different and imagine tomorrow morning when they turn up at the ground and it's seeming conditions. I feel that India should not be stubborn enough and go with their two spinners and probably back their seamers.
11:02And I wouldn't be surprised if New Zealand go with all-seam attack.
11:06Absolutely, yes. That's a distinct possibility.
11:11Gautam?
11:12Yes, yes. I think you are spot on there. And also bringing Matt Henry in the equation. Because there is quite a bit of a possibility that it's going to be a low-scoring match now the way the conditions have changed. So why not?
11:29I mean, this would be a very New Zealand-esque situation.
11:32Absolutely.
11:34Four-pronged pace attack will come real handy.
11:37Not just that. The climate conditions are right up to New Zealand street really now.
11:44Yeah, it's going to be a tricky call. So my next question to both of you. First Shyam and then to Gautam. You win the toss, what do you do?
11:53Bowl first.
11:55Even if you go with two spinners?
11:59No, I wouldn't go with two spinners. I would go with one spinner and four pace attackers.
12:02Suppose Virat Poli sticks to it that I want to go with two spinners. I want to back Ashwin and Jadeja. I am again putting you in a spot. Then what do you do?
12:09I still bowl first. Simply because, see, I don't want to bat last.
12:16You don't want to bat last? Then how would you bowl first? If you bowl first, you will have to bat last, Shyam.
12:20What I meant was, I want them to bat last.
12:25Okay, you want them to bat last. So you will take up the challenge which India did during Saurav Ganguly's tenure when they beat England in England.
12:33I think it was at Leeds where Sanjay Bangar played that crucial role.
12:42See, I would bowl first. Basically in the sense that I want to use the conditions. That's what I meant.
12:46You want to use the conditions?
12:48Yes.
12:49But with two spinners if you have, you will still bowl first because of the conditions. That's what you are saying, correct?
12:55Yes, absolutely. Because I trust my pacemen.
12:58Absolutely. Gautam?
13:01No, I think I would bite the bullet because in England, conditions change.
13:06So, the Leeds test that you were talking about in 2002, it's very clear in my mind because I was fortunate enough to be there in that test match.
13:16And that Bangar, he was not the most pleasant batsman to look at.
13:23But that two sessions that he whiled away and he got some 65-67 runs.
13:30And then of course, you had the Fab Four in action.
13:33And it was one of the epic Indian wins in those days in English conditions.
13:41Absolutely.
13:42And England had Darren Gough, they had Andy Caddick.
13:47So, that was their base attack that time.
13:50But you have to bite the bullet because it can hurt you both ways.
13:55I mean, if suddenly you are 44-3, then the legion of our Indian pundits will say that…
14:04Why did you bat first?
14:07This is exactly my thinking.
14:09Because I am sure if India has to bat first in these conditions, inside first five overs, we will have both our openers in the pavilion.
14:18Both our dashing openers with Rohit Sharma and Shubh Mangil.
14:23As much as you want them to leave the ball outside the offset, they might be tempted.
14:27But nonetheless, we need to wait and watch what's going to happen.
14:30Whether India is going to stick to spinners.
14:32Whether India is going to change their mind.
14:34What is India going to do if they win the toss?
14:36The best thing is to lose the toss.
14:38So that you are not put in a spot that you are asked to bat first or bowl first.
14:42Yeah, but that's a coward's way out.
14:44But I don't think Dhoni Avinkoli would want to do that.
14:47Because he would want to win the toss much like anybody else.
14:50Because he wants to throw down the gauntlet.
14:55So, I would think he would want to win the toss.
15:00Anyway, we will have to wait and watch.
15:02I was just trying to talk to you all about my 2019 memories.
15:07When I was there in England on a long tour to see the World Cup.
15:11And how rain played a spoiled sport.
15:13And I remember that match between India and New Zealand.
15:16The league match was called off.
15:17I don't remember the venue.
15:18Probably Gautam can throw light on which was the venue where it was called off.
15:22No, not really.
15:27I was reading up somewhere that Southampton 4 league matches had to be called off.
15:33Because of rains. I don't know if it was one of them.
15:36Anyways, you know what?
15:38But that match played a very significant role in New Zealand making it to the knockouts.
15:42There is a difference between one point between them and Pakistan.
15:46Where they just sneaked past Pakistan.
15:48And rest is history that they went on to play against India.
15:51Again in a rain-affected semi-final.
15:53And again one more important stat I want to share with both of you.
15:56Because I was at the ground on that semi-final day.
15:58Where New Zealand who were put into cloudy conditions.
16:02They managed to score 2-10-5 at the end of the day.
16:06Before the match was called off.
16:08Because they had a reserve day.
16:10But had there not been a reserve day.
16:12India would have gone into the finals.
16:14And moreover, India was actually given a choice.
16:17This is just for all our fans to know.
16:20India was given a choice whether you want to play a 20-over game.
16:23And Virat Kohli and team rejected it.
16:25And I am afraid that probably backfired on India.
16:29Because had they played on that day, you never know what would have happened.
16:33But it would have been difficult for the bowlers to grip the ball.
16:36Because the outfield was wet.
16:38And you never know what would have happened the next day.
16:41But rest is history.
16:42As you see India were knocked out of the tournament on the next day.
16:49Looks like the rain has added an extra dimension to this test.
16:54And pity it will not be a match of equals.
16:59Because these conditions play right into New Zealand's hands.
17:02So that is my worry.
17:04Yes, absolutely.
17:10I think before we wrap up for the day.
17:14I just want to pick your brains on one thing.
17:16You will notice that Kohli said yesterday that if we lose this test match,
17:22it's not going to be the end of the world.
17:24I am looking at six test matches.
17:26And it's a process.
17:27So do you think it's a ploy of deflecting pressure of his boys for a big game?
17:33Absolutely.
17:35Absolutely without saying.
17:37It's easy to say that I don't mind if I lose this test match.
17:42Which is the World Cup final.
17:43Come on, you would like to have a trophy in your cabinet.
17:46There is $1.6 million at stake.
17:48And more importantly, Virat Kohli has nothing in his cabinet to show as an ICC.
17:52He has lost the ICC Champions Finals.
17:54He has lost the World Cup last year.
17:56So apart from the U19 World Cup, there is nothing to show in the cabinet.
17:59Okay, you have been the number one team on and off.
18:01But winning a title and then saying that probably no, I don't mind losing this.
18:07I am looking at the long run.
18:08I am afraid it's just a ploy which has been sent out to the opposition.
18:12Shyam?
18:13I think it's also to take the pressure from his team.
18:16Because he doesn't want his team to have that kind of stress.
18:23This is a must-win game.
18:25He doesn't want to send out that feeling.
18:27So I think this is basically aimed at his own team.
18:30That this is not the end of the world.
18:32We just go out and perform.
18:33We do our best.
18:34That is perhaps what he is trying to do with that statement.
18:38Pratap?
18:40That's it.
18:42Now I think it's basically time to look forward.
18:46The only intriguing takeaway from today's discussion, I think, is…
18:51I am sure the media will go after it.
18:55Will Virat Kohli change his playing 11?
18:58I think that will be the talking point till the process is taken.
19:02I remember both Shastri and Virat were heavily talking about this.
19:06Both Shastri and Virat were heavily trolled in the Lord's Test match.
19:09They stuck to those two spinners in spite of heavy overcast conditions.
19:13We will have to wait and watch, guys.
19:15These things happen.
19:17It happens to the best of the teams.
19:19But the thing is, you have to try.
19:21And they do gamble.
19:23I don't think they would be ashamed by that mistake.
19:27They would have learned from it.
19:29Everything is part of a learning curve for them.
19:31As long as they have learned, Shyam.
19:33As long as they have learned.
19:34But if you stick to it…
19:35I have announced my squad and I want to go with two spinners.
19:38In hindsight, I am not sure whether it is going to come and bite India.
19:41We feel that they should go with four fast bowlers and a spinner.
19:49It's entirely up to them.
19:51Let's wait and find out whether they will go and make a change.
19:54Before we wind up, any final thoughts?
19:59The only final thought, like Gautam mentioned,
20:03he was watching the weather forecast.
20:05Instead of three droplets on the weather forecast,
20:08he could see one droplet.
20:09We need to see whether that one droplet disappears
20:11and we can get a start on time tomorrow, 1.30pm UAE time.
20:15Of course, we want to inform all our fans and viewers on Gulf News
20:20that there is an extra day.
20:22We will get that whole 90 overs covered in case we go the distance.
20:28That's true.
20:29So, an extra day will kick in.
20:30So, there will be 5 days of match if there is no further rain.
20:34Before we wind up, since Gautam, you are our weatherman,
20:37what's the forecast for tomorrow?
20:41I have been following their weather.
20:43What I see is, still, I see the pictures of clouds as well as rains.
20:49The intensity is partly less from what our designer's time work
20:54that I could make out.
20:56And it runs through the week.
20:59Actually, there is not a day where they are showing the sun icon.
21:02So, it could be in marginal degrees.
21:05The day it was pouring, so there was no chance.
21:08And when it stopped for about half an hour or 45 minutes,
21:12they said that there will be an inspection 6pm UAE time.
21:17And then again, it started.
21:19So, immediately, they called it off.
21:22So, that's it for today from us.
21:24Let's hope that the rain will stay away.
21:26And let's also hope that tomorrow we will get a full day of match.
21:32So, stay tuned with us.
21:34Log on to gulfnews.com.
21:36Also, on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
21:38And we will bring you the latest updates from Southampton.
21:41Thank you very much.
21:42Bye-bye.