ENG vs IND: India Didn't Show Aggression In The Third Innings - Kiran More On India Losing The Fifth Test

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Kiran More acclaimed England for their stunning win over India in the rescheduled fifth Test and said the tourists lacked aggression in their batting in the second innings.

On Tuesday (July 5), England defeated India by seven wickets in what was a back-on-the-wall fightback to square the five-match series 2-2 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

England batters outsmarted Indian bowlers in Birmingham to level the Test series

On Day 4, India set England for an enormous target of 378 in the fourth innings on the back of brisk fifties from Cheteshwar Pujara (66) and Rishabh Pant (57). England captain Ben Stokes picked four wickets and cleaned up Indian tailenders, who troubled them the most in the Test series. India were eventually bowled out for 245 as they added just 120 runs on the fourth day.

England openers Alex Lees (56) and Zak Crawley (46) paved the way for the big chase through their 107-run opening alliance before Jasprit Bumrah threatened an implode with two wickets on either session of Day 4.

England’s experienced batters Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow put their side in a commanding position at the end of the penultimate day before they wrapped the game in the morning session of the final day in their unbeaten stand of 269 runs.

Root (142*) and Bairstow (114*) were disdainful against the Indian bowlers in terms of scoring runs at a rapid pace no matter who bowled against them, the ball was sent to the boundary ropes as the duo combined for 34 fours and two sixes in their colossal partnership.

India didn’t show aggression: Kiran More

More, who played 49 Tests and 94 ODIs during his playing days, said India failed to capitalise with the bat in the second innings and missed an additional spinner in their bowling attack.

“I feel they (England) made a strong comeback in the second innings. Restricting the Indian batsmen in the third innings and chasing 378 runs in the fourth is huge. This is commendable,” More told Jagran TV.

“India team, however, didn’t show aggression in the third innings. If India had scored 300 runs in their second innings, then it could have been different.

“I feel India didn’t do enough to stop the run flow. Jadeja should have bowled more… In my opinion, India could have gone with another spinner. Bumrah, Shami, Siraj, and even Shardul are match-winners, but India was missing another spinner,” he added.

Both England and India will shift their focus to the T20I series with the first game scheduled to be played on Thursday (July 7) at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.

Also Read: ENG vs IND: If Rohit Sharma Was There It Would Have Made A Difference – Wasim Jaffer On India Losing Edgbaston Test