Ravi Shastri, the former India head coach, feels that Karun Nair’s dismissal in the second innings and Rishabh Pant’s run-out in the first innings were the turning points that shifted the momentum to England. Nair has struggled to convert his starts on the England tour. In India’s failed chase of 193 at Lord’s, Nair, batting at no. 3, was caught LBW to Brydon Carse for 14 on Day 4.
Shastri thinks Pant getting run out before lunch on Day 2 was the key moment that resulted in India tying scores with England and missing the chance to take the lead.
“For me, the turning point in this Test match was Rishabh Pant’s dismissal in the first innings, Shastri said on The ICC Review. “Ben Stokes had great awareness to hit the stumps at the right moment, just before lunch. India could have had a lead, being in a strong position.
KL Rahul admitted that trying to get his century before the end of the first session led to Pant being run out on 74. India was 283/3 but Stokes’ fielding caused a collapse and they lost their next seven wickets for 104 runs.
“At 40/1 in the second innings, I thought Karun Nair showed a lack of focus by leaving a straight, hittable ball, giving England an opportunity. I believe that dismissal changed the game, Shastri said.
Shastri pointed out how Jadeja batted with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, showing that once the ball softened, batting became easier.
“When Siraj, Bumrah and Jadeja were batting, once the ball was 40 overs old, they were defending well. They reduced the target to 82 at lunch and it seemed they would finish it quickly. Reducing that 82 or 83 to 22 was a big achievement, Shastri said.
“It just shows that if the top order had been tougher and mentally stronger on Day 4, India would have won, he added.
Read Also:- Irfan Pathan Questions Bumrah’s Workload Management After Ben Stokes’
The series has been very competitive with both teams fighting hard and matches being decided on the last day. Shastri feels if India had been lucky, they would have been 3-0 up instead of 1-2.“The Lord’s Test reminded me of the 2021 Test match here when I was the head coach. India batted first then. Scores were similar, around 300, then a second innings collapse. India won then. It’s a great series with two more to go. Anything can happen. India can come back and make The Oval (final Test) interesting, Shastri said.
“Over the 15 days of the series, it’s been exciting. India could have been 3-0 up with a bit of luck, he added.”
