ENG vs IND: Not Playing Ravichandran Ashwin Was A Mistake - David Lloyd

India had a chance to win their first Test series in England in 15 years, but it was not to be. A batting collapse in the second innings, followed by some incredible batting by England, tied the series 2-2 and extended India’s wait. India’s vaunted pace attack, regarded as one of the best in the world, was unable to defend 377 as England cruised to victory by seven wickets in less than 80 overs.

David Lloyd, a former English cricketer and famous commentator, has identified an essential issue that he believes cost India the Test. India went in with four pacers and only one spinner in all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, and Lloyd believes that is where Jasprit Bumrah and coach Rahul Dravid made a mistake.

India Went In With An Extra Batter, That Cost Them The Game: David Lloyd

“I never thought I would ever say it, but India were hamstrung by not having a quality spinner. They opted for a longer batting line-up by including Ravindra Jadeja. As a spinner in England, he tends to bowl too flat and too quick. Loop drift and spin brings dividends. Ravichandran Ashwin has it, but India played safe – to their cost,” Bumble wrote in his column for The Daily Mail.

R Ashwin did not play a single Test against England. He was not considered by Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli last year and this year Rahul Dravid and Jasprit Bumrah left him out.

Bumble on England’s new approach wrote:

“It’s quite astonishing what we’re witnessing. Test grounds are throwing their gates open on the fifth day, and each time England just knocks off the runs. Then you have that stroke played by Joe Root off Shardul Thakur. As if in slow motion, he went square onto the bowler and helped him over slip for six. What on earth is going off out there?”

Also Read: IND vs ENG: We Have To Reflect Why We Aren’t Able To Bat Well In The Third Innings Of A Test Match – Rahul Dravid