Kumar Sangakkara said Indian batsmen were able to strengthen their technique in the ongoing third Test match against England. India was able to score 329 in their first innings and it was a much better performance from the tourists.
KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan laid the pillars for a good start as the pair stitched a partnership of 60 runs. Subsequently, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane were able to capitalise on the good platform.
Indian batsmen were able to show better resistance.
The pair was able to put together a fine partnership of 159 runs to give India’s best performance with the bat.
“Conditions at Trent Bridge were not as taxing, the pitch is a bit more easy-paced, but the Indian batsmen adjusted extremely well to facing the English bowlers after the first couple of Tests. Batsmen tightened up their technique with the way they defended the ball – they played it a lot later than before, left it better than before. They also drove the ball with more extension rather than flourish and put the bad deliveries away,” Kumar Sangakkara wrote for Sky Sports.
The Sri Lankan legend said India did a lot of homework between Lord’s and the ongoing Test match at Trent Bridge. Sangakkara gave credit to India’s captain and his deputy for a fine partnership.
“You must give credit to the work they have done between Lord’s and here, allowing India to build partnerships, particularly Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane’s 159-run stand for the fourth wicket”.
Rahane was able to get back into form.
Ajinkya Rahane had looked out of sorts in the recent past. However, India’s vice-captain was able to get back into form. Former Sri Lanka gloveman Sangakkara said Rahane has a fine technique.
I think Rahane has very good technique – he is very compact and simple in his set up. He has all the shots and also a strong mind to be able to put a bad patch behind him and focus on what works on the day.
He had scathing Tests at Edgbaston and Lord’s but has now come out and shown what he is capable of.
Indian batsmen were able to leave better and showed better resistance. Rahane and Dhawan also played more with the horizontal bat which helped them in getting settled. Virat Kohli was able to tick all the right boxes.