An Absolute Disgrace: Roger Binny On Team India's Seamers Performance In The WTC Final

Former Indian seam-bowling all-rounder Roger Binny has lambasted the Indian seamers for the manner in which they bowled in the first innings of the World Test Championship final against New Zealand.

After having been bowled out for a mere 217 in the first innings, India desperately needed its bowlers to step up to the occasion.

However, the seamers were guilty of bowling it too short that allowed the New Zealand openers to leave the ball outside the off-stump.

As a result, Tom Latham and Devon Conway went on to stitch 70 runs for the first wicket and while Ashwin and Ishant Sharma did dismiss them eventually, New Zealand ended the day at a commanding 2/101.

“Watching the Indians bowl on Sunday (the third day of the Test), it was not the way to bowl in a Test in England. It was an absolute disgrace. What did the opposition do to you? What sort of a performance was this? They are playing a Test match,” Binny was quoted as saying by News18.

Indian seamers through Ishant Sharma and especially Mohammed Shami, who claimed a four-wicket-haul, did make a comeback on the fourth day to reduce New Zealand to 6/160 but the seamers once again failed to dislodge the lower-order as the Kiwis went on to take a decisive lead of 32 runs.

Roger Binny was critical about the defensive lengths that the seamers bowled during the first innings.

“When you bowl, you bowl in the batsman’s half. You don’t bowl in your half. They have to play the shots. The shorter you bowl, the more the ball seams. You have to attack to take wickets, not bowl defensively.” he added.

Also Read- We Wanted First-Class Games But That’s Not Been Given: Virat Kohli On India’s Preparation Ahead Of The England Test Series