London: India’s abject surrender in the first two Tests against England has drawn sharp criticism from some of the country’s celebrated former cricketers, who hoped the side would have the strength to bounce back.
Virender Sehwag, Bishan Singh Bedi and VVS Laxman were among those who lamented the lack of fight shown by India in the second Test against England, losing by an innings and 159 runs to go 2-0 down in the five-match series.
“Very poor from India. While we all want to stand by our team and support them when they don’t do well, going down without a fight is very disappointing to watch. Hope they have the confidence and mental strength to comeback from this,” tweeted Sehwag.
Former India spinner Bedi was even more scathing in his assessment of the performance: “Dismal Indians at Lord’s. Everyone remotely connected with Indian cricket knows where the problem lies or stems from but will not utter a word for want of strength of character & courage of conviction. Which is even more depressing really than the batting debacle actually”.
Laxman hoped India will learn from the mistakes ahead of the third Test starting August 18 at Nottingham. “Caught in unfavourable conditions, not reading what the opposition threw saw India lose the Lord’s Test tamely without showing a fight. Hopefully lessons are learnt quickly and the rest of the batsman start applying themselves going forward,” he wrote.
Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif said the team’s performance was painful to watch. “India lasted 82 overs across two innings. They not learning from mistakes has been very disappointing to watch. Thoroughly outplayed in all departments in this one. Lack of fight has been the most disappointing aspect. This is really painful to watch. No batsman exudes any confidence,” he said.
India’s media also lashed out on Monday at the “abysmal batting” that led to the crushing defeat.
Mail Today called India’s performance a “humiliating defeat” while The Hindu newspaper’s headline said “Another abysmal batting display sends India to its doom” after the team were bowled out for 107 and 130.
A Hindustan Times headline read: “India shamed at Lord’s as batsmen surrender again”.
“For the World No. 1 Test team that vowed to play aggressive cricket, its credentials in tough overseas conditions lay tattered amid a batting crisis,” the newspaper added.
The Times of India headlined its story “India turn paupers at Lord’s.” It hailed star bowler James Anderson as England’s “crafty maestro.”
Meanwhile, Joe Root said Anderson was a “special commodity” who should be enjoyed for as long as possible after England’s leading all-time Test wicket-taker showed his class yet again.
The overcast conditions and green-tinged pitch, as much a consequence of a sudden change in the weather after a prolonged dry spell as anything else, were ideal for Anderson.
But the 36-year-old Lancashire swing specialist exploited them expertly in a match haul of nine for 43 that saw him become the first bowler to take 100 Test wickets at Lord’s.
“He’s a special, special commodity, isn’t he?,” said Root. “He’s something that doesn’t come along very often and we’ve got to enjoy him while he’s around.”
“There’s been chat about his longevity but at the minute he’s bowling better than he ever has before. Time and again, he puts in fantastic performances.
Yet it was Chris Woakes who was named man-of-the-match after starring with both bat and ball.
Woakes, selected after England omitted Ben Stokes because of his fellow pace-bowling all-rounder’s ongoing trial for affray, made 137 not out — his maiden Test century — and shared a partnership of 189 with Jonny Bairstow (93) that helped the hosts recover from 89 for four to an eventual total of 396 for seven declared.
He also took match figures of four for 43, with his haul including the prize scalp of Kohli.
It is not yet known whether Stokes will be available to play in the third Test in Nottingham starting Saturday, but Warwickshire’s Woakes proved himself to be far more than a mere ‘stand-in’.
“Ben is obviously a huge part of this squad, so it’s a miss him not being here this week,” said Root.
“But what it did was create an opportunity for Chris to come in and perform — and boy, he didn’t disappoint did he?
“He was outstanding. That’s something we really want to harness as an example to the guys in and around the squad — when you get your chance, make it as hard as possible to leave you out.
“It’s a great headache to have for us, going into next week.”
