Ravi Shastri comments on the dismissal of five Indian batters against New Zealand

Commentator and the former Indian coach and cricketer’s no-holds-barred “duck party” dig at Indian batters.

Ravi Shastri, an Indian cricket commentator, former coach, and cricketer, is also known for his bold remarks and commentary. Recently, during the India vs New Zealand Test match, India was folded for just 46, one of their lowest-ever scores in Test cricket, by New Zealand in the opening match of the 3-match Test series. Previously, Gautam Gambhir had criticized the country’s “batsman-obsessed attitude.” Now, Ravi Shastri has something to say about India’s poor performance.

Ravi Shastri was shocked to witness five dismissals for a duck.

New Zealand bowlers made the most of the overcast conditions in Bengaluru on Day 2 after the opening day at the M Chinnaswamy was washed out without a ball being bowled. India scored its third-lowest in test history and lowest at home. On Thursday, five batters – Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and R Ashwin– were dismissed for a duck. The only other time five India batters were dismissed for a duck against New Zealand was in the Mohali Test in 1999. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who was on the commentary panel, was shown a visual of the Indian scoreboard, and he admitted he was shocked to witness five dismissals for a duck. He said, “When you see that scorecard, you think there will be a duck party happening there. Five ducks!”

“It’s unheard of in India.”

When the cameraman next showed the visual of Kohli, Rahul, and Sarfaraz standing in the slips during the New Zealand innings, Ravi Shastri added, “It’s unheard of in India – lowest score, the team has been bowled out for 46. All three standing in slips, all out for ducks.”

Rohit Sharma admits misjudging the pitch.

India made a surprising move on Thursday by batting first and picking three spinners and just two fast bowlers under the overcast Bengaluru sky. Later, Rohit admitted his mistake in misjudging the pitch after India were folded for just 46 runs. He said, “You see, and you try and make the judgment. Sometimes you make the right call, sometimes you don’t, and I was on the other side of it this time around. I’m hurting a little bit because I made that call. But see, for us as a team, I think these are the challenges.”