“He shouldn’t have been given a long -” - Former selector opens up on reasons why India lost ODI series to New Zealand

Former Indian cricketer Kris Srikkanth has questioned the Indian team management and skipper Shubman Gill for not properly utilizing Ravindra Jadeja with the ball in the third and final ODI against New Zealand, in Indore.

Speaking exclusively on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth has asserted that Nitish Kumar Reddy shouldn’tt have been given a long spell. While Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja managed to bowl only 12 overs combined, Reddy went on to bowl a total of eight overs, without scalping a wicket.

"If Ravindra Jadeja had been brought on to bowl before Nitish Kumar Reddy, he would have exploited some footholes. When Jadeja came on to bowl, New Zealand’s batters were well set. Reddy has that ideal pace and was easy to negotiate for them. What Reddy’s bowling did is let New Zealand batters settle. He shouldn’t have been given a long spell. Jadeja should’ve bowled first and then Reddy. Both Kuldeep and Jadeja were a letdown. Of course, Harshit Rana has been leaking runs in his second spell in almost all games. He is a different bowler with the new ball. Rana shouldn’t be given a break," Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

Furthermore, the former cricketer also revealed the key reasons behind India losing the series decider. He went on to add that Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Reddy failed to live up to expectations with the ball.

"Where did the match change? It was a total let down by our bowlers in the middle overs, especially our spinners. Harshit Rana bowls excellently with the new ball but leaks runs in his second. If we look at his first spell, he took two wickets with some excellent bowling but he gave away 84 runs in his 10 overs. He batted brilliantly in the second half. Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav were ineffective. Kuldeep has been ineffective throughout the series. Jadeja’s bowling has been battered. Nitish Kumar Reddy had the chance to bowl eight overs but even he leaked runs. That has been the problem," he added.

"Mohammed Siraj has been brilliant and bowling consistently well. As usual, Arshdeep Singh somehow takes a wicket in the first over. Rana should even bowl in the 15th or 16th over and should keep only 2-3 of his overs in the end. He has been leaking runs in the second spell,” he concluded.

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