'Very surprised' - Shane Warne baffled with India's tactics as New Zealand manage draw in Kanpur Test

Seldom you’ll see Team India enduring a hard time in a home Test. However, New Zealand managed to challenge them in the recently-concluded first Test at the Green Park in Kanpur. The Kiwi side had to survive the entire Day 5 with nine wickets in hands. With the track constantly deteriorating with time and India having a three-man spin attack, New Zealand’s defeat seemed inevitable.

However, the Kiwis played out of their skin and managed a thrilling draw. The game went right down to the wire as the visitors lost regular wickets at the fag end of the game. In fact, they were nine down at a stage and the defeat was looming over their head. However, they somehow managed to keep India away from a win.

Shane Warne points out a tactical mistake

Meanwhile, former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne has pointed out a fault in India’s strategy which probably cost them a victory.  Warne questioned Ajinkya Rahane’s decision of not taking the new ball immediately when it was available. The new red cherry was due after the 81st over but the home team waited till the end of 84th over to change the ball.

Warne was left baffled by this decision as the light at the Green Park Stadium dipped in the last 45 minutes or so of the day’s play.  “Very surprised India didn’t take the new ball when it was available !!!! Strange they are still bowling with the old ball as light and overs running out !!!!!! Thoughts?” Warne tweeted when the game was at its latter stage.

Very surprised India didn’t take the new ball when it was available !!!! Strange they are still bowling with the old ball as light and overs running out !!!!!! Thoughts ?

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) November 29, 2021

In another tweet, Warne went on to call India’s decision a probable turning point of the game.  “Will the 4 overs bowled with the old ball when the new ball was available be a turning point and allowed NZ to hang on or it won’t matter and India win ???,” he wrote.

Will the 4 overs bowled with the old ball when the new ball was available be a turning point and allowed NZ to hang on or it won’t matter and India win ???

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) November 29, 2021

With the first of the two Test matches resulting in a draw, the second Test at the Wankhede Stadium would be a decider. With regular skipper Virat Kohli returning to the team, it would be interesting to see how India’s playing XI would look like.