ENG vs IND: Ravi Shastri Slams The Indian Batters For Their Poor Show In The 2nd Innings

Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri was distraught with the strategy of the Indian batting line-up on Day 4 of the Edgbaston Test against England.

Being in a dominating position at 125/3 with an overall lead of 257, India ended up throwing away wickets and playing too passively. They got bundled out for 245, setting a target of 378 for the hosts.

In response, England’s openers provided a 107-run stand for the first wicket but India fought back with three wickets in quick succession. However, England’s most successful batters in recent times, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, then combined to put 150 runs for the 4th wicket.

“They needed to bat two sessions and I thought they were defensive, they were timid today, especially after lunch. Even after they had lost those wickets, they could have taken some chances.”

“Runs were important at that stage of the game and I thought they just went into a shell, lost those wickets too quickly, and gave enough time for England to bat today,” Shastri said after Day 4.

“I don’t think Bumrah got his tactics right today” – Kevin Pietersen

Former England batter Kevin Pietersen pointed out that India was too defensive in the run chase, allowing the English batters to easily rotate the strike and settle in.

“I don’t think Jasprit Bumrah got his tactics right today at all, and I say that with the greatest deal of respect. There is no way with a reverse swinging ball that he should make it that easy for the batter because the batter is trying so hard to decipher which way that ball is swinging.”

“When it’s reverse swinging at 90mph, the nicest place to bat is at the non-striker’s end, and the ability to get to the non-striker’s end as easily as they did this afternoon, it’s too easy,” Pietersen also mentioned.

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