ENG vs IND 2018: The Way We Lost The Test Match Was Very Disturbing: Gautam Gambhir

Veteran batsman Gautam Gambhir has called India’s loss in the second England vs India Test at Lord’s ‘disturbing’.

Hopes were sky high from the current Indian side. The way the team had performed in the limited-overs series and gave England a run for their money in the first Test, many speculated that the series will be closely fought. However, the way India performed in the second Test, they would have to improve by leaps and bounds to give England a tough fight.

For the fourth innings in a row, the batsmen faltered as England thrashed India by an innings and 59 runs. The hosts now lead the five-match series two nil. Unlike the first Test at Edgbaston, the bowlers also failed to make an impression. As a result, England thoroughly dominated the proceedings at Lord’s.

Very few would have predicted that the game would end inside four days after the first day was washed out and the game was marred by several other rain-interruptions.

However, the Indian team came up with a shambolic performance to lose the game inside four days.

Batsmen faring poorly in swinging conditions was once again the  biggest reason behind another loss in an overseas Test. In the first innings, India were all out for just 107 with James Anderson taking 5 for 20. In reply, England scored a mammoth 396 for 7 to put the game beyond India’s reach. And the visitors did little to challenge England.

Trailing by a huge 289 runs, draw was the only option for India. However, it took England less than two sessions to bundle up the world number one Test side. India never looked in contention to save the game and were all out for just 130.

Win or loss is a part and parcel of the game but India’s loss has made many worried. Their spectacular capitulation was not at all expected from a side which is on top of the rankings for the last two years. And just like many Gambhir is also worried after seeing the team’s performance.

“The way we lost the Test match was very disturbing. There was no fight shown by the Indian batters. And yes the conditions were a little difficult in both the innings for them but you don’t expect this team to bundle out in literally three days. They should have shown some fight in the second session to take the game into the final day. Anything could have happened from there on,” said Gambhir as quoted by TOI.

Gambhir further backed the team to make a comeback although he warned that it would be tough.

“India can make a comeback, but it is always difficult to make a comeback to win all the three games. They still have an opportunity to think about drawing the series. India can look to win 2 Tests out of the remaining 3 and then look at the way forward. They should take one Test match at a time,” he said.