IND vs NZ: "They Will Have To Seriously Think Of It": Ravi Shastri's Stern Message For Shikhar Dhawan And VVS Laxman After India's Loss To New Zealand In Auckland

Former head coach Ravi Shastri was among them, sending a strong warning to skipper Shikhar Dhawan and head coach VVS Laxman ahead of the second ODI against New Zealand.

Tom Latham’s spectacular hundred and skipper Kane Williamson’s unbeaten 94 helped New Zealand cruise to a seven-wicket victory over India in the first test of the three-match series in Auckland on Friday.

In pursuit of 307 with 17 balls remaining, the two put together an unbroken 221-run partnership. But following the defeat, the majority of veterans and experts focused on one factor as the main cause of India’s defeat. When sending a severe message to interim skipper Shikhar Dhawan and head coach VVS Laxman for the second ODI, former head coach Ravi Shastri was present.

On Friday, New Zealand’s start wasn’t the best. With Umran Malik’s debut, they lost three wickets for 88 runs in 20 overs.

Latham, who starts the New Zealand batting order, was tormented early on by Malik while batting at No. 5 for the team in the series opener, but later teamed up with the skipper to put on a spectacular spectacle. He completed with a perfect 145 off of 104.

Ravi Shastri believes they should rethink their strategy

The duo received praise for their performance, but India received criticism for fielding a bowler short. When Dhawan and Laxman return for the second ODI in Hamilton on Sunday, Ravi Shastri believes they should rethink their strategy.

Anjum Chopra, a former cricketer for India, asked Shastri the following question live on air during Prime Video’s broadcast of the first ODI: “In hindsight, now that the game has ended, when you look back at the start of the match, you look at the team from both the side, would you have had another bowler, a sixth-bowling option, in this Indian line-up?”

Ravi Shastri replied saying, “I think seriously they will have to think of it. They will have to think of it.”

The five bowlers India featured in the opening game were – Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh, and Yuzvendra Chahal. They have three more bowling options left on the bench – Deepak Hooda, Deepak Chahar, and Kuldeep Yadav.

India might be tempted to bring in Hooda for the second game to provide both bowling and batting depth.

Also Read: IND vs NZ: BCCI To Not Renew Paddy Upton’s Contract