Day 3 of the second Test between India and England at Edgbaston started off with a bang for the visitors. With two quick wickets from Mohammad Siraj, India had England gasping at 84 for 5.
But what looked like a golden opportunity soon turned into a frustrating morning. Jamie Smith and Harry Brook stitched together a stunning partnership as questions arose over Shubman Gill's captaincy, particularly concerning their field placements and bowling plans.
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Former India pacer Varun Aaron, watching closely, didn’t mince words. He openly criticised the approach taken by new captain Shubman Gill, especially on a pitch that didn’t suit the short-ball tactics India seemed to persist with.
What did Varun Aaron say about India's tactics?
Aaron felt India were far too defensive following the initial breakthroughs when Siraj dismissed Joe Root and Ben Stokes on consecutive deliveries on Day 3.
He pointed out that Edgbaston wasn’t the kind of pitch where the short ball ploy would be effective, especially against players like Jamie Smith, who are strong off the back foot.
"Look, again, when you speak about Headingley, it was slightly quicker than this wicket. This [Edgbaston] wicket is really slow," Aaron explained. "You don't want to be bowling short to somebody who's a good puller on a slow wicket."
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He warned that even if a batter eventually gets out to the short ball, by that time, the damage may already have been done. "Now, yes, he could still get out to the short ball because if he plays about 100 pull shots, he might sky one, right? But you have to see how many runs he scored before that."
Varun Aaron calls out Shubman Gill's poor captaincy
Aaron strongly felt that the team failed to put pressure on the England batters after the first few boundaries were hit. He pointed out how removing attacking fielders too quickly allowed the England batters to settle.
"Jadeja is bowling really well, but then the moment they went for one or two fours, he removed his forward short leg, removed the silly point," Aaron noted. "That just gives the batsman a little more freedom."
He said India should have had more men closer to the pitch to force England batters into committing errors. "These English batsmen are not used to defending too much. They want to hit sixes and fours. Let them challenge the infield with good bowling. But if you are going to bowl short to them, you're just playing into their hands."
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As the second Test continues, England’s recovery has put India on the back foot once again, something Aaron feels could have been avoided with sharper tactics on a slower surface.