Surprised by Amit Mishra's omission, Sunil Gavaskar labels leggie as scapegoat for India's 1st Test failure

New Delhi: After being named Man of the Series during the 5-match New Zealand encounter, Amit Mishra was included in the starting XI for opening Test between India and England as Anil Kumble went with 3 spinners and 2 seamers in Rajkot.

Mishra only two 3 wickets in 2 innings of 1st Test and was dropped for the second Test with Jayant Yadav being preferred over the experience leg-spinner.

Speaking to NDTV, Sunil Gavaskar expressed surprise seeing Mishra out of India's squad.

"It's surprising that Amit Mishra has been dropped. I think he has been made a scapegoat for India's failure to bowl out England in the 1st Test in Rajkot."

Gavaskar also held special praise for centurions Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara.

"Virat Kohli puts high-price on his wickets. He has hunger for hundreds. And it's not just his progress as a batsman, but his progress as a person has been phenomenal as well. He is a wonderful role model," said Gavaskar as Kohli finished the day unbeaten on 151.

Commenting on Pujara's performance, the original Little Master said, "Cheteshwar Pujara's transformation has been great. He is playing a lot more shots. I hope his strike rate encourages IPL teams to pick him."

Concluding his review, Gavaskar also warned Kohli to not take England's James Anderson lightly, who said that he will be looking to give India and early blow with new ball on Day 2 at Vizag.

He also claimed moral victory over his old nemesis Jimmy Anderson (3/44), who was the best English bowler on view.

Anderson did try his variations but Kohli remained unruffled for the better part of his innings save once when on 56, his mistimed pull shot off Ben Stokes was dropped by Adil Rasheed at deep fine leg boundary.