A dominant England side thrashed India by an innings and 159 runs at Lord’s. It just extended their horrific run in whites in the UK. With already being 0-1 down in the series, Ravi Shastri’s boys were handed an innings defeat at the home of cricket.
Even though there were frequent rain interruptions, the visitors failed to save their grace. They were bowled out in four days, and problems are plenty.
India was wrapped up for 107 runs in the first innings after James Anderson bagged a five-for. England though, had no problems while facing the red cherry. The hosts made 396/7 in reply, taking a 289-run lead. India failed to bat out even two sessions, as they folded for 130.
India missed a trick by not adding a fast bowler. The conditions were seamer-friendly and instead Kohli and team-management went with Kuldeep Yadav. Both Kuldeep and Ravichandran Ashwin went for runs and failed to pick a single wicket.
Ravi Shastri accepts an error in decision-making
Head coach Ravi Shastri admitted having made a mistake. In the press conference, Shastri said it was an error in judgment.
“In hindsight, it was an error. We should have gone, seeing the conditions, with an extra seamer. It might have helped. Then again, you didn’t know how much it would rain, whether a match could go into the final day where just in case spinner is needed and the ball starts to turn, would we have needed him.” he said.
He also said a pacer could have added more punch and helped the side. It rained on many occasions, and the conditions could have favoured the fast bowlers.
“But in hindsight, the way things panned out, the amount it rained, the time we lost, a seamer could have been a better option,” he added.