David Lloyd, England commentator stated that the final 5th day would reveal if India will regret leaving out Ravichandran Ashwin, with his England compatriot Moeen Ali getting plenty of purchase from the Lord’s strip on Day 4. India dropped Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing XI for the second Test in a row, preferring left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja as the sole spinner.
However, with England off-spinner Moeen Ali making a huge impression on a turning surface on Sunday at Lord’s, critics and former cricketers including David Lloyd have questioned India’s move to drop the veteran off-spinner.
David Lloyd: India May Regret Leaving Out Ravichandran Ashwin As The 5th Day Will Tell Whether Ravindra Jadeja Will Be Equally Successful
Writing in his column for The Daily Mail, David Lloyd posed the Ravichandran Ashwin query ahead of last day-Day 5 at Lord’s.
“Mid-afternoon on Day Four and Moeen Ali just started to get the ball to turn. He took two huge wickets, the second with a jaffa to dismiss Ravindra Jadeja. It’s what you’d expect from a Test pitch but neither captain thought there would be spin here pre-match. So will India regret leaving out Ravichandran Ashwin? Monday will tell.”
Ravichandran Ashwin has scalped 413 wickets in the 79 Tests he has played for India, at an excellent average of 24.56. The off-spinner was the second-highest wicket-taker for India and fourth overall, in the four-match Test series in Australia in 2020/21.
He claimed 12 wickets in 3 Tests, including one four-wicket haul. In the four-match home series against England 2021, he was the highest wicket-taker. He signed off the series with 32 scalps in 4 Tests, including 3 five-wicket hauls. India’s line-up for the first and second Test against England caused instant debate with the exclusion of India’s ace spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin.
David Lloyd: Joe Root Is In The Form Of His Life
David Lloyd also said that England captain Joe Root’s hard work is bearing fruit and advised the batsman to enjoy the success. Joe Root scored a terrific 180 not out in the first innings at Lord’s. Before that, he notched up scores of 64 and 109 in the first Test.
“Joe Root is in the form of his life and it’s no accident. When you listen to his interviews, a few things that he’s doing stand out — hard work, small technical changes and attention to detail. But most of all, enjoy it! Joe told us this is the first time his two young children have been able to watch him play and that adds to his sense of enjoyment and fulfilment.”
David Lloyd was irritated with the constant breaks and pauses during Day 4 of the Lord’s Test. Describing it as frustrating for the viewers, the former England cricketer wrote in his column that needless breaks weren’t needed.
“I know I’m like a dog with a bone on this, but 10 minutes before drinks on Saturday a sub came on with drinks for India and two men emerged with towels and drinks for the England batsmen. It’s ridiculous. If the batsman isn’t ready when the bowler is at the top of his mark then he should just bowl.”
India head into the deciding day at Lord’s with a lead of 154 but only four lower-order wickets in hand. Rishabh Pant (14 not out) could hold the key to India’s fortunes. However, on the 5th deciding day, Rishabh Pant was out early after scoring 22 while Ishant Sharma too departed after scoring 16. Both Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah are batting on unbeaten 12 runs as India (226/8) leads by 199 runs.