Aakash Chopra asks the Indian team management to revisit their decisions

India lost the Lord’s Test against England by a humongous margin of an innings and 159 runs. The first day’s play was washed away courtesy of rain and Virat Kohli’s men kept capitulating at an alarming rate with the progression of the match. Kohli, who was outstanding with the willow in the opening Test at Edgbaston, also couldn’t live up to expectations.

Moreover, they resorted to playing two spinners in conditions, which assisted the pacers. In the end, Kuldeep Yadav, who replaced Umesh Yadav, bowled only nine overs. Moreover, off-break bowler Ravichandran Ashwin toiled hard for no rewards. Recently, Aakash Chopra, the former Indian cricketer, asked the team management to relook at their decisions.

India were at the wrong end of the conditions

“India aren’t known to travel well and that makes team-selection a critical piece in the jigsaw puzzle. Team management will have to take a harder look at its decisions,” Chopra was quoted as saying in Hindustan Times.

“India were at the wrong end of the conditions with both bat and ball. It was overcast on the first day when James Anderson ran through the Indian batting, it turned nice and sunny when India bowled and the clouds returned when it was India’s turn to bat again in the second innings,” he remarked.

“Interestingly, India fielded two spinners for the second Test when their opponents went with four quicks. The pitch was green and under covers for over 24 hours, and while that ensured that India also wanted to field first, it didn’t force them to play an extra seamer. India aren’t known to travel well and that makes team-selection a critical piece in the jigsaw puzzle. Team management will have to take a harder look at its decisions,” he added.

In the second day’s play, under overcast conditions, India were bowled out for a paltry 107 runs. When England came to bat, the sun shone brightly and the English batters, especially the likes of Jonny Bairstow and Chris Woakes made hay and added to the visiting team’s agony. The second innings turned out to be scarier than a nightmare for India as they fell apart like a house of cards.

India are already 0-2 down in the series and need some herculean efforts to make a comeback into the contest. The third Test will be played at Trent Bridge in Nottingham from August 18 to 22. The fourth and fifth match will be hosted by The Rose Bowl and Kennington Oval.

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