Ajinkya Rahane steps in to save Gautam Gambhir from England Test series loss, shares masterplan
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After India's defeat at Lord's, they have faced severe criticism for losing such a close game, that too while chasing a modest target of 193. But unlike the Headingley Test, where several greats urged for changes in the squad, such has not been the scenario at Lord's.
However, amid all this, former Indian captain Ajinkya Rahane has stepped up and asked for a change going into the Manchester Test and has also stressed the fact that only that change can lead India to glory at Old Trafford.
India struggled to bat at Lord's, suffering two batting collapses in the two innings of the Lord's Test. First, they could not take any lead past England's total of 387 in the first innings, and then fell short by 22 runs in the 193-run chase in the second innings.
Ajinkya Rahane gives advice to Gautam Gambhir for the Manchester Test
Since India performed poorly with the bat, some players have criticized the lack of intent from batters, while some have blamed the top order for the repeated flops, as the lower order has been burdened with too much of a batting role.
But despite all that, India's bowlers received praise from cricket pundits for making a great comeback with the early dismissal of the English batters in the second innings. Until then, it looked like the game was nearing a draw; however, Washington Sundar's 4-for and a stunning job from Indian seamers bowled out England for 192 within two sessions of play.
Ajinkya Rahane, however, feels there is a need for an extra bowler in the Indian lineup, as only 20 wickets can help the team win the match.
"We all know that Day 4 and 5 get slightly difficult to bat on. It's not easy to score runs. Yes, England bowled really well. But I felt India missed an opportunity to get that big score on the board in the first innings."
"And also, I feel going forward, India should look to add one extra bowler — because you're going to win a Test match or a Test series by getting 20 wickets," Rahane mentioned on his YouTube channel.
Rahane's version of India's heartbreaking defeat at Lord's
Keeping out England's bowling brilliance or the sudden batting collapse of India, Rahane has highlighted the on-field brilliance and awareness of England skipper Ben Stokes.
Ben Stokes attacked the ball, picked and threw it to hit the wicket at the non-striker end, which got Rishabh Pant's wicket at the stroke of lunch for England. This also broke the 141-run partnership, which set the tone of the Indian innings.
"It's very easy for the fielder to get relaxed," Ajinkya Rahane noted. "When you see only two or three balls left before lunch, you can easily get relaxed. But his attitude towards the ball, his intensity, and getting that run-out — that's where I felt England came into the game."
"That's what you want to see in Test cricket — all 11 fielders coming together and looking to win the Test match," Ajinkya Rahane added.
I still want to play Test cricket - Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane was present during the Lord's Test, as he is among the few Indian batters to have featured on the Lord's Honours board. During a conversation with former English player Michael Atherton, he mistakenly called Rahane out as a 'former' Indian cricketer, to which Rahane immediately replied, saying he is not retired yet.
This shows Rahane's positive attitude and his urge to return to the field in Indian colours and play more Test cricket on the international level, despite being 37 years old.
"I nearly said former India batter, but that would be quite wrong. You're 37 years of age, but you haven't given up hopes of playing Test cricket again," Michael Atherton pointed out to Rahane.
"Not at all. First of all, it's good to be here. I still want to play Test cricket," Rahane replied.
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