Sunil Gavaskar rips apart Rohit Sharma-Gautam Gambhir after shocking calls for Pune Test

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar criticized young all-rounder Washington Sundar's inclusion for the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. Sunil Gavaskar said that the Indian team management may have panicked a bit after a shocking eight-wicket loss during the first Test in Bengaluru.

India made three changes to their lineup for the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. Shubman Gill returned to the side after missing the first Test. Akash Deep and Washington Sundar were also brought into the squad. KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, and Kuldeep Yadav were dropped from the XI.

They Are Worried About Their Batting - Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar said that Washington Sundar's inclusion indicates a lack of confidence in the batting lineup. Gavaskar said that the team management backed Sundar for his lower-order batting rather than his bowling. He said that he would have picked Kuldeep Yadav in the team.

"I don't see a lot of teams making three changes unless there are injury concerns. Washington Sundar inclusion which actually tells you they are worried about their batting," Gavaskar said.

"More than his bowling, they need his batting down the order as the cushion. Yes, there is a lot of talk about the left-handers in the New Zealand batting unit, but I would have picked Kuldeep Yadav, who can also turn it away from a left-hander," he added.

Washington Sundar's Last Test Appearance vs England in 2021

Sundar was not included in India's 15-man squad for the Test series against the Kiwis but was added following their loss in the first Test. He was picked over Kuldeep Yadav for the second Test. Gautam Gambhir defended the selection as New Zealand have three left-handed batsmen in their top four.

The 25-year-old cricketer recently scored a century in a Ranji Trophy match for Tamil Nadu. He made his Test debut in the fourth Test against Australia at The Gabba in 2021. The southpaw last played for the Indian cricket team in a Test match in 2021 in Ahmedabad, where he scored an unbeaten 96 runs.

Don't Think, They Have Pressed The Panic Button - Simon Doull

Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull said that Indian team management didn't press the panic button. Doull also expressed surprise at the swift changes after just one Test match. He questioned the decision to include Washington Sundar after Ravichandran Ashwin's just one bad outing.

"I don't think, they have pressed the panic button. It just surprises me a little bit. There were press conferences before the tour about backing players, backing their ability, and all of a sudden, after one Test match, you are saying the guy who was good enough in the first Test match is now not good enough. Okay, Sarfaraz knocked the door down with that big 150. But, you are all of a sudden not backing the guy that you backed in Test match No. 1," Doull said.

"Washington Sundar, coming off runs in domestic cricket, straightaway is in the XI. Does that tell me they are not happy with how Ashwin bowled? But they are bringing in another off-spinner because he (Ashwin) didn't bowl well in the first test. I will tell you what, he will bowl well here," he added.

At lunch, New Zealand was at 92 for 2 after 31 overs. Washington Sundar bowled seven overs and conceded only 11 runs, including three maidens. Ravichandran Ashwin took both wickets that fell in New Zealand's first innings during the first session of the opening day in Pune.

Also read: Watch: Rohit Sharma ignores Virat Kohli for a DRS call, India lose the review in Pune Test