New Zealand vs India: Craig McMillan blasts Kohli & Co.
Former New Zealand all-rounder Craig McMillan hit out at the Indian cricket team after its shabby performance against the Kiwis in the recently-concluded first Test. India were poor with their batting and failed to get past 200 across each innings to hand the hosts a 10-wicket win in Wellington. This is what McMillan said regarding the Indian batsmen.
India's batting was awful at the Basin Reserve
In the first Test at the Basin Reserve, India struggled to get going with the bat. They managed scores of 165 and 191. Notably, India had just one half-centurion in the entire Test. It was a match where both the top and middle order batsmen failed to get going. Be it the fuller deliveries, or the short balls, India had plenty of problems.
McMillan feels India didn't make necessary adjustments
McMillan criticized the Indian cricket team for throwing the bat at anything. "They didn't make any adjustments in the way they played, they threw their hands at the ball like they do in India," he told Radio Sport. "When the ball doesn't bounce above knee high you can get away with some of those shots - in New Zealand you don't."
Kiwi pacers dismantle India in Wellington
The Kiwi pacers were superb and made use of the conditions. Veteran Tim Southee claimed nine wickets in the match which included a five-wicket haul. Debutant Kyle Jamieson and senior pacer Trent Boult made their presence felt as well. "I haven't seen India, the number one Test side in the world, dismantled like they were over those four days in Wellington," he said.
India's batting a concern ahead of 2nd Test
India are in a tight spot of bother and will be required to bounce back in order to avoid a series defeat. Given what we witnessed in Wellington, the Indian batsmen are way below of what's expected. Skipper Virat Kohli is himself struggling and there is nobody who can go the long distance. The batting is what can let India down once again.
