VVS Laxman unhappy with Kohli’s captaincy in first Test against NZ

India started day three of their Test match against New Zealand with a bang when Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma bagged the wickets of BJ Watling and Tim Southee respectively in quick succession. However, the tail of New Zealand easily made up for the lack of momentum in the beginning by adding 132 runs on the scoreboard for the last three wickets. The hosts finished their third day of the Test match with an astounding 183-run lead over the visitors.

Former cricketer turned commentator VVS Laxman was not happy with this turn of events. During the tea break, he told the host broadcasters, “After getting Tim Southee’s wicket, India let off New Zealand, at one stage it seemed they would not get even 100 runs lead but the partnership between Jamieson and Colin de Grandhomme got them to 183 runs lead. India will be ruing the fact – they were very defensive, tactics used by Virat Kohli were not right, especially when the second new ball was in operation.”

Laxman was also not impressed with Kohli’s tactics with the new ball and said that he should have used his pacers for a longer spell.

“I feel that the field settings by Virat Kohli was not right for the situation, especially with the new ball. Because when you are playing in overseas conditions, new ball has a massive impact. In four overs he brought on Ravichandran Ashwin, I mean you have 3 quality fast bowlers you expect them to bowl at the tail. Virat Kohli missed a trick and this can cost India the Test match.”

India had a faltered start to their innings as Trent Boult picked up Prithvi Shaw’s wicket early in the game. Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara attempted to save the game and played on calmly. Boult picked up Pujara’s just at tea time. Agarwal scored 50 runs but was brought down soon after by Tim Southee. Kohli too was bounced out by Trent Boult, leaving India under tremendous pressure.