India Need To Find The Balance Between Caution And Aggression: Ian Chappell

Cricket analyst and commentator, Ian Chappell has advised team India to find an optimum balance between caution and aggression, especially in Test cricket at the moment. India is currently playing New Zealand in a two-match Test series.

The hosts have already won the first game by 10 wickets. Prior to the Test series, India and New Zealand faced each other in a five-match T20 series and a three-match ODI series.

Both the teams had contrasting fortunes as India clean swept the Kiwis in the T20Is and New Zealand clean swept the Men in Blue in the ODIs.

In this very game, India lost the toss and were invited to bat first by the hosts. Like the first game if the series, the Men in Blue showed a dismal display of batting and were bundled up for 242 runs in their first innings.

India in a spot of bother against New Zealand in Christchurch:

However, the Indian bowlers were right on the money when the proceedings began on Day 2 and left no room for error as the Kiwis could only manage 235 runs in their first innings.

The Kiwis bounced back as India have lost six wickets for 90 runs at stumps on Day 2.

Writing a column for ESPN Cricinfo, Ian Chappell has discussed on team India’s performance, especially regarding the New Zealand tour.

Ian Chappell Opens Up On India’s Performance

Chappell said, “There’s a time for aggression and there’s also occasionally a requirement to bat cautiously in Test cricket. New Zealand, much like England’s seaming surfaces, is a place where caution is required more often than in Australia, where most pitches are extremely true. Whatever the cause, at the Basin Reserve it was an abysmal batting effort from the No. 1-ranked Test team, who failed to reach 200 in either innings.”

Ian Chappell on Cheteshwar Pujara:

Chappell also reflected on Cheteshwar Pujara’s performance in this series.

Chappell added, “It’s important to get the balance right and to place players in positions where they are comfortable and hence more likely to succeed. Pujara normally bats behind Sharma and Mayank Agarwal and ahead of Kohli. That’s an adequate amount of strokeplay surrounding Pujara, and as a judicious shot maker he’s ideal at No. 3 for balance. Mind you, Pujara needs to be careful he doesn’t slip into net-practice mode and forget that the object in a match is to score runs regularly.”

Chappell asserted the fact that Team India will have a tough away series later this year against Australia away from home. Thus, the ongoing second game between India and New Zealand will be a key match to boost their psychological balance.

Also Read: New Zealand vs India 2020: VVS Laxman Lauds Virat Kohli For His Intensity In Christchurch