Following a decisive 106-run victory in the second Test, Team India successfully leveled the ongoing five-match Test series against England on Monday. Despite the commendable performance, former Indian pace bowler Zaheer Khan believes there is room for improvement, particularly in the team’s batting department.
The Indian batting order displayed moments of brilliance, amassing a formidable total of 396 runs in the first innings, propelled by Yashasvi Jaiswal's maiden double century. The second innings added another 255 runs, with Shubman Gill's century being a standout contribution. While praising Captain Rohit Sharma for motivating the team and placing India in a commanding position, Khan voiced concerns about the batting performance.
"In a series where you're trailing, aggression, determination, and confidence are crucial to level the score. Rohit successfully inspired outstanding individual performances," noted Khan. However, he emphasized the need to address batting issues moving forward in the series.
Examining the team's performance, Khan highlighted concerns, particularly in the batting department. "This aspect will likely be a topic of discussion, given that we have witnessed India perform better under similar conditions and on this type of surface," he added.
In the first innings, England faced the brilliance of Indian seamer Jasprit Bumrah, getting dismissed for 253 runs. Bumrah's exceptional six-wicket haul played a pivotal role in India's success. Despite England's second-innings effort, where Zak Crawley top-scored with 73 runs, Khan emphasized the collective effort from other English players that brought them close to the 300-run mark.
"In England’s second innings, only one player scored a half-century, yet they nearly reached the 300-run mark. This illustrates the impact of collective effort. While Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill delivered outstanding innings, there is still significant work to be done with the bat," he commented.
The upcoming third Test in Rajkot, known as a batting paradise, presents a crucial opportunity for Indian batters like Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer to redeem themselves and regain form. Khan's comments underscore the importance of addressing batting challenges for the home team to excel in the remainder of the series.
Commending Jasprit Bumrah's brilliance on a challenging surface, Khan acknowledged, "In terms of bowling, Jasprit Bumrah displayed remarkable skills. On this particular surface, there were instances where the spinners felt pressured, requiring support from the batsmen. Managing all these aspects is where the captain plays a crucial role, and Rohit has excelled in handling such factors and situations," concluded Zak."
Post a Comment