"Shubman Gill is a Red Flag"- Toxic behaviour comes to surface

Former Team India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar slammed Shubman Gill for his captaincy during Day 3 (Friday, July 25) of the fourth Test against England. The commentator stated that there was no justifiable reason for not bringing off-spinner Washington Sundar into the attack earlier in England’s first innings.

England resumed the day at 225/2 with Ollie Pope and Joe Root at the crease. The home team ended the day at 544/7 with a 186-run lead over India. However, Gill’s decision to delay Washington Sundar’s introduction drew criticism, as the Indian seamers were unable to break England’s momentum.

Shubman Gill Under Fire for Delaying Washington Sundar’s Introduction on Day 3

Washington Sundar made an instant impact after being introduced into the attack. He came on to bowl in the 69th over and broke a 144-run partnership by dismissing a well-set Ollie Pope for 71. The spinner also removed the dangerous Harry Brook for just 3, bringing India back into the contest.

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The off-spinner’s breakthroughs raised questions about why he wasn’t used earlier, especially considering his impressive performance at Lord’s, where he took 4/22 in the second innings.

Sundar showed great control and drift on a pitch offering turn, ending the day with figures of 2/57 from 19 overs. His performance only intensified the criticism of the delay in his introduction.

This Is a Major Red Flag in Shubman Gill’s Trait - Sanjay Manjrekar

Speaking on Star Sports during the lunch break on Day 3, Sanjay Manjrekar was critical of Shubman Gill’s handling of Washington Sundar in the fourth Test. He added that Gill may lack confidence in Sundar’s wicket-taking ability, which he called a “major red flag.”

"Somewhere down the line, Shubman Gill feels that his spinner can’t get him a wicket. Washington—maybe he doesn’t rate him that much. But that is a major red flag for me," Manjrekar told JioStar during the lunch break on Day 3.

"You have got to be patient with Shubman Gill. I am already an admirer of him. He’s been thrown into the deep end. I really think Bumrah should’ve taken the reins whenever he was fit.

"I don’t see any plausible reason for not using Sundar for 68 overs. I see this as a major red flag in Shubman Gill’s trait as captain."

Everybody's Been Saying, Where's Washington Sundar? - Stuart Broad

Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad backed Sanjay Manjrekar’s sentiments. He also expressed similar confusion over Washington Sundar’s delayed introduction. Broad questioned why Sundar wasn’t brought on when England were comfortably placed.

“Everybody's been saying, where's Washington Sundar? Why are we not seeing him? They're 300-odd for two and we haven't seen the off-spinner who got 4 for 22 in the last innings at Lord's,” Broad remarked on the broadcast.

India head into Day 4 of the fourth Test under immense pressure, with England on the verge of a series-clinching victory. Joe Root scored 150 off 248 balls and also moved to second place on the all-time list of leading Test run-scorers.

Also read: Watch: Joe Root destroys Mohammed Siraj’s WHOOP band in freak Manchester Test collision