IND vs NZ 3rd Test: "Why Not Send Ashwin?" - Simon Doull Questions India's Decision to Send Siraj as Nightwatchman

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Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull questioned Team India's decision to send pacer Mohammed Siraj as nightwatchman instead of someone like Ravichandran Ashwin during the closing stages of Day 1 of the the third Test at the Wankhade Stadium on Friday (November 1).

India's decision to send Siraj in as nightwatchman following opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal seems to have backfired as the hosts also lost Virat Kohli just before stumps. Siraj fell for a golden duck, while Kohli was run out in the next over.

Team India will begin Day 2 with Shubman Gill (31*) and Rishabh Pant (1*) at the crease as the hosts work to close the 149-run deficit. But could have been in a much better position if they used their senses, according to Doull.

"I don't like the term night watchman being used for a tail end or a lower-order play. Why not Ravichandran Ashwin? If you're going to have a player out in the middle that has to be able to play, you can't just send a bowler out there for the sake of sending a bowler out there," Doull said while talking on Sports18.

"If it was going to be anyone that had to be Ashwin because he could actually bat. He'll get through the night and then he'll come tomorrow and he'll score you runs because he's good enough to do that."

Doull further explained why sending a player who usually bats at number 10 or 11 position as nightwatchman in turning conditions is a big mistake, but understood why Kohli would have wanted to avoid batting in the final few overs of the day's play.

"The New Zealand spinners hadn't actually bowled that well, uh, there's a couple that went past the bat, but it wasn't consistent enough. So to send a player out there who generally bats 10 or 11 and is not proficient against spin in turning conditions, I thought it was a big mistake first and foremost," the 55-year-old added.

"If Virat Kohli, he's not gonna come out, and I totally understand it. There are a lot of batters around the world that do that would prefer to have a night watchman, would prefer to be out there tomorrow. But send in a guy who can play please."

Coming back to the Mumbai Test, India bundled out New Zealand for 235 after losing the toss and had gained momentum, but the late collapse saw India reduced to 86/4 and still trailing by 149 runs at stumps.