Dilip Vengsarkar Criticizes India's Batting For The New Zealand Humiliation

India suffered a major setback by the hands of the Kiwis when the latter beat them by 10 wickets in the first game of the two-match test series. Former Indian player and selector, Dilip Vengsarkar has criticized India’s poor batting display during the game.

Going into the game, India were the favourites to win it as the Men in Blue have been a globally dominant force in the Test format. They are currently the number one Test team in the world and also lead the ICC World Test Championship points table.

However, to the bitter disappointment of the team and the fans, India could not escape the clutches of the Kiwis and suffered a shock in the first game. India’s batting was extremely poor as they could manage 165 runs in the first innings.

In the second innings, they were bundled up for 191 and this gave the Kiwis a meagre target of 9 runs to chase which they did without losing a wicket.

Dilip Vengsarkar Criticizes India’s Batting Display

 “They have not allowed the team to settle down. The opening combination is not settled, and so is the middle-order,” said the former India chief selector.

Vengsarkar also spoke up on Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane’s performance and insisted that Pujara should keep rotating the strike.

“He (Pujara) has scored a lot of runs, but he has to be able to rotate the strike, otherwise his batting partner will be in trouble as he will lose the rhythm being stranded at the other end for long periods. Pujara can’t get bogged down. Also, Ajinkya Rahane was not able to convert his starts,” Vengsarkar said.

India will now take on New Zealand in the second game of the series beginning from Saturday at Christchurch. The Men in Blue can further be in trouble as opener Prithvi Shaw faced an injury scare in his left foot which could keep him away from the game.

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