Indian cricket team on Thursday announced three changes in the playing XI for the second Test of against New Zealand, with the inclusion of a pacer Akash Deep and an all-rounder Washington Sundar, who got their maiden Tests for India, and Shubman Gill who has recuperated from injury and returned to the side after sitting out the first Test in Bengaluru. Other than the three changes KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, and Kuldeep Yadav,

Are Three Changes Due To Panic?

“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. 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,” Gavaskar said.

Team Management Should Back The Players, Feels Doull

Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar believes there is over-restructuring in the XI and feels Washington’s inclusion shows that India is worried about their batting after such a defeat. Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull believes there is no evidence of panic in these changes and that team management should work on giving a helping hand to their players.

“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.