BGT 2024-25: Sunil Gavaskar criticises underperforming Siraj! What did he urge the management to do?
Xtra Time Web Desk: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has expressed concern over Mohammed Siraj's performance in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, emphasizing the need for clear communication from the team management. Gavaskar criticized the idea of "resting" players during crucial tours and instead urged the management to directly address any performance shortcomings.
Siraj, who picked up 14 wickets in the first three Tests, has struggled with control and potency with the new ball. Despite being a key bowler, Siraj failed to replicate his previous heroics in Australia, leaving Jasprit Bumrah without adequate support. These struggles continued into the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, where Siraj endured a forgettable outing. He conceded 122 runs in 23 overs at an economy rate of 5.30, including two five-wide deliveries that added to India’s woes.
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Gavaskar, speaking to Star Sports, urged the management to avoid sugarcoating feedback. “I think Siraj, perhaps, needs a little bit of a break—not in the sense of resting him but dropping him for non-performance. You need to be brutally upfront and say, ‘Your performance has not been up to scratch, and therefore you are being dropped.’ When you start talking about rest, players might get the wrong idea and feel they don’t need to improve,” he said.
Alternative Bowling Options
Gavaskar also suggested possible replacements for Siraj, proposing Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana as potential options to support Bumrah. He highlighted the need for a revamped bowling attack, especially after India conceded 474 runs in Australia’s first innings.
Bumrah, Jadeja Shine Despite Challenges
In Melbourne, Bumrah faced an early onslaught from Australia’s 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas but bounced back to claim four wickets for 99 runs in 28.4 overs. Ravindra Jadeja also contributed with three crucial wickets, while Akash Deep dismissed Steve Smith, who scored a commanding 140.
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India now faces critical decisions in addressing their bowling unit as they look to turn the series around. Gavaskar’s remarks underscore the importance of accountability and the need for performance-driven selection.
