Kevin Pietersen criticised Rohit Sharma‘s captaincy early on day four of the second Test match between India and England, labelling his field placements “negative” as England looked to chase 399 in the final innings.
Pietersen’s comments came on TV commentary after night watchman Rehan Ahmed hit two consecutive fours against Axar Patel in his fourth over of the morning. Zac Crowley also hit a four on the last ball of the previous over, making it his third success in a row.
“Look at Rohit Sharma’s captaincy,” Pietersen said. “Why is your back so long? Why is it in the middle? Why are you being so defensive when England still need to score well over 300 to win this Test match?” Rehan He held Ahmed for strikes and walked two fours, but he should have been out on the first pitch of the day. The first boundary he hit this morning was completely unconvincing. He’s just moved it far into the middle now.
“Ben Stokes was great at the start yesterday. He made a mistake when he allowed the field to be fumbled by a batsman playing singles. He broke a partnership and got a wicket. , made things happen. I don’t like it when it’s too negative.”
Rehan played 30 minutes in the morning session before finally departing having scored 23 runs LBW to Axar Patel. Ollie Pope and Joe Root were both dismissed within three overs and England quickly fell to 154-4.
However, Pietersen again criticized Rohit’s placement on the field after Root ran the ball from R Ashwin to Patel at backward point and was dismissed for attempting a long hit.
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Joe Root had to leave the ground because the pitch was going up,” Pietersen said. “Look at this field again, everyone is at their limit. Why is everyone on the border? England still need 245 to win – they have Bairstow and Stokes. India have a chance here Yes, Rohit Sharma has a chance to just say, “Okay, Zac Crowley, are you still going?” Are you still willing to take the risk? ”
“Root did it. Look at the field. Don’t look at the hook. Look where it’s in the middle, look where it’s in the middle. It’s a deeper dive into Joe Root I urged them to do so. Be brave, Rohit Sharma: Be very, very brave. Bring it to the middle, bring it to the middle and say to the batters, “Go on.”
India scored 399 runs against England and won the second Test match after three innings. If they can maintain this position, they will level the series at 1-1 after England’s come-from-behind victory in Hyderabad. Since Stokes took over as captain, England have had some memorable fourth-innings successes. They chased 378 against India at Edgbaston, losing just three wickets. During the Stokes and McCallum era, he managed to score over 250 points five times.
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