After a big win at Edgbaston, India lost at Lord’s. They couldn’t chase 193 and collapsed in the 2nd innings and lost by 22 runs.
The batting line up was questioned after the loss and some questioned KL Rahul’s approach. Aakash Chopra, a former Indian batsman, defended Rahul and was confident about his choices.
India fought hard in the 1st innings but struggled to chase a small total in the 2nd innings. The English bowlers troubled the Indian batsmen. The decision to send Akash Deep at no.5 raised eyebrows.
With the top order struggling, the coaches hoped to shift the momentum with a nightwatchman. Chopra said he doesn’t like the tactic but respects the call.
There were only 13 minutes left. I am not a big fan of nightwatchmen. If a batsman can’t do the job, how can a nightwatchman? But it’s a personal choice and I respect that. Everyone sees it differently, he said.
After Akash Deep joined Rahul, Rahul took a single and gave Deep the strike. The English captain then dismissed Deep for just one run. This move by Rahul sparked debate but Chopra supported him. On his YouTube channel, he said Rahul made the right decision by not keeping the strike and risking his own wicket.
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Akash Deep had one job: protect his wicket, keep his partner off strike and prevent the next batsman from coming in. In the last over, if KL Rahul can get a single off the first ball, he should take it. If he doesn’t take the single, stays there and gets himself out, that would be silly. It’s just common sense, he added.
After a good start, India lost the plot in the 2nd Test. Despite good bowling, the batsmen failed in the 2nd innings. After Rahul was out at 39, Ravindra Jadeja fought hard with 61* but India still lost by 22 runs.
