Mumbai, June 30: Former India batsman Sunil Gavaskar has said that India “just didn’t show the patience required in a Test” to take on the New Zealand challenge in the World Test Championship final at Southampton recently.
New Zealand won the rain-marred summit clash against India by eight wickets to bag the winning purse of Rs 12 crore along with an ICC Test Championship Mace.
The legendary cricketer pointed out that the Indians, “so used to the white-ball game” were responsible for their own downfall as they played some “forgettable” strokes.
“The conditions on the final day were bright, and the sun was out in all its glory, but the Indians, so used to the white-ball game, just didn’t show the patience required in a Test match and were instrumental in their own downfall with some forgettable shots,” said Gavaskar in his column in the Telegraph.
India folded up for just 170 in the second innings, leaving New Zealand with a victory target of 139.
“What patience and good shot selection can do in trying conditions was seen in the batting of New Zealand captain Kane Williamson in both innings. He held the New Zealand innings together and took his team home.
“What he also showed is that the thinking that a batsman needs to go out and start playing shots on this kind of pitch and in conditions favouring the bowler is just negative thinking. He batted the way he knows how to, and that’s what every batsman should do,” said Gavaskar.
India putting themselves under pressure
Meanwhile, former West Indies fast bowler Curtly Ambrose felt that India were putting themselves “under pressure because of the occasion”, which was resulting in the team failing at the semi-final or final stages during the last 6-7 ICC tournaments. The last ICC title India won was the 2013 Champions Trophy in England.
“You don’t change your game plan or style of play because it is semi-final or final. That is their loss. You’ve got to keep doing what you have been doing all along, that brought you success,” said the West Indies legend.
He applauded New Zealand for their efforts in the WTC final. (IANS)
