Rohit Sharma’s Field Placements Under Scrutiny: Sourav Ganguly Criticizes Easy Runs Given Away in WTC Final
In the wake of India’s loss in the historic WTC Final, Sourav Ganguly has criticized Rohit Sharma’s field placements, suggesting that the team gave away too many easy runs.
This has sparked a debate among cricket fans who are keen to understand why Rohit’s field placements cost India the WTC Final. In this blog post, we will look at the criticism of Rohit Sharma’s field placements, and whether they could have cost India the match.
1.Rohit Sharma’s field placements in WTC Final
Rohit Sharma, India’s vice-captain and opening batsman, faced criticism for his field placements during the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against New Zealand. The WTC Final, held in Southampton, England in June 2021, was the inaugural edition of the championship and determined the world’s top Test cricket team.
Sharma’s field placements were questioned by former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, who highlighted the easy runs given away due to poor field placements. In a commentary on a TV channel, Ganguly stated that “the field placements were not right for the start of the game, the wicket was a little bit damp and there was movement”. He also noted that the Kiwis were bowling tight and not giving away easy runs.
Field placements are an essential aspect of cricket, where the captain has to position the fielders strategically to maximize the chances of getting a wicket or stopping runs. Fielders are usually placed based on the bowler’s strength, the opposition’s batting style, and the conditions of the pitch. Poor field placements can result in easy runs, reduced pressure on the batsmen, and fewer chances of taking wickets.
In the WTC Final, Sharma’s field placements were a matter of concern as the Kiwi batsmen played freely and added crucial runs to their score. A critical moment came when New Zealand’s Tom Latham got an easy boundary when he hit a loose ball through a gap in the field. This situation was analyzed by many cricket pundits and fans who felt that Sharma’s field placements were too defensive.
Sharma’s captaincy skills were further put to test when New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson managed to score a century while taking advantage of India’s weak field placements. In comparison, Williamson’s counterpart, Indian captain Virat Kohli, managed to restrict runs and took wickets through his tactical field placements.
2.Sourav Ganguly criticizes easy runs given away
One of the most talked-about issues during the World Test Championship (WTC) Final was Rohit Sharma’s field placements. Several experts and former players pointed out that the Indian captain missed a few tricks when it came to setting up his fielders. Sourav Ganguly, former Indian captain, was among the critics who slammed Sharma for the easy runs given away during the final match.
Ganguly is known for his strategic planning and tactical skills during his captaincy days. Therefore, his opinions carry a lot of weight in the cricketing world. In his latest interview, Ganguly criticized Sharma for not taking full advantage of his bowlers and giving away easy runs. Ganguly believes that Sharma should have been more proactive in his approach and made changes to his field positions according to the situation.
The former Indian captain highlighted some instances during the WTC Final where India conceded easy runs due to poor field placements. He mentioned that there were a few occasions where Sharma kept his fielders deep even though the pitch was assisting the bowlers. Ganguly feels that the Indian skipper missed a golden opportunity to take wickets and put pressure on the opposition.
It is well known that field placements play a crucial role in cricket, especially in Test matches. A well-placed fielder can stop a certain boundary or induce a false shot from the batsman. In contrast, a poorly placed fielder can result in easy runs for the batting side. Hence, it is essential to have a solid game plan and set up the fielders according to the situation.
3.Importance of field placements in cricket
One of the crucial elements in cricket is field placements. A captain’s ability to place his fielders in the right positions can make or break a game. The fielding positions determine where the fielders stand on the field, what their responsibilities are, and how they help the bowler restrict the batsman’s scoring opportunities.
Field placements can also dictate the course of the game. For instance, if a team places its fielders aggressively, they may create more chances for catches and runouts. If they play defensively, it might result in the opposition accumulating more singles and doubles, but also taking fewer risks to hit boundaries.
4.Analysis of Rohit Sharma’s field placements in the WTC Final
The WTC Final was a crucial match for India, and field placements played a vital role in determining the outcome. Rohit Sharma, India’s vice-captain, was responsible for setting the field, and his tactics have come under scrutiny.
While Sharma did make some good decisions, there were also some questionable choices that ultimately cost India easy runs. For instance, in the first session of play, Sharma kept a deep backward square leg for Kane Williamson, who has a tendency to flick the ball in that direction.
However, Williamson hardly played any shots in that region, and the fielder ended up doing nothing. Similarly, Sharma had a mid-on for Ross Taylor, who rarely played any shots in that direction.
On the other hand, New Zealand’s field placements were spot on. They kept two slips and a gully for the Indian openers, which proved fruitful as both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were dismissed by the slips. Moreover, New Zealand kept a leg slip for Cheteshwar Pujara, which led to his dismissal.
The impact of poor field placements can’t be overstated. Giving away easy runs means the bowlers have to work harder to contain the opposition, which ultimately leads to fatigue and a loss of rhythm. Moreover, it can also impact the confidence of the bowlers, who may start to doubt their ability to take wickets.
5.Comparison with New Zealand’s field placements
It’s only fair to compare Rohit Sharma’s field placements in the WTC Final with that of the New Zealand team. The Black Caps displayed an excellent fielding strategy that put India under pressure right from the beginning. They had tight fielders at crucial positions, which did not allow easy runs.
In contrast, Rohit Sharma seemed to be giving away too many easy runs by leaving gaps in the field. This allowed the New Zealand batters to pick up easy singles and doubles, thereby building a steady score.
New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson, in particular, set up an aggressive field for Jasprit Bumrah, who has a tendency to score quick runs towards the end of an innings. He had two short mid-wickets, a deep square-leg, a long-off, and a sweeper cover. This restricted Bumrah’s scoring opportunities and kept the pressure on India.
On the other hand, Rohit Sharma failed to do the same for his bowlers, especially towards the end of the innings. He seemed to lack ideas on how to contain the Kiwi batters and build pressure. This ultimately proved costly for India, as they lost the match by a close margin.
6.The impact of poor field placements on India’s performance
As Sourav Ganguly pointed out, the easy runs given away by India in the WTC Final could have been avoided if Rohit Sharma had made better field placements. This is a crucial aspect of cricket that often goes unnoticed but can make all the difference in a game.
Field placements play a significant role in setting the tone of the game, creating pressure on the opposition and protecting certain areas of the field. Poor field placements, on the other hand, can result in easy scoring opportunities for the opposition, leading to a loss of momentum and morale for the fielding side.
In the case of the WTC Final, India’s bowlers were often left with no protection on the off-side, which allowed New Zealand’s batsmen to score runs easily. Additionally, the lack of a third man fielder led to several edges flying past the wicketkeeper, resulting in further runs.
Such mistakes can cost a team dearly, as was the case with India in the WTC Final. Not only did the easy runs allowed give New Zealand the momentum, but it also took a toll on India’s morale. Fielding is a crucial aspect of the game, and poor field placements can lead to a ripple effect of mistakes and a loss of confidence.
Going forward, India must address this issue and work on making better field placements. It’s not just about reacting to the opposition’s batsmen but also anticipating their next moves and planning accordingly. A well-placed field can not only stop runs but also lead to wickets, which is ultimately the goal of any fielding side.
Conclusion:
The WTC Final was a highly anticipated match that showcased some of the world’s best cricket players. However, the spotlight on Rohit Sharma’s field placements has highlighted the importance of strategic positioning in cricket. Sourav Ganguly’s criticism of easy runs given away by India due to poor field placements is a reminder that even the slightest mistake can impact the team’s performance.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma’s Milestone Triumph: Significant Achievement In WTC Final Against Australia
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