Mumbai: Former Indian cricketer WV Raman would like the Indian team to address the "root cause" that led to the downfall of batting and fix the lower order that has looked vulnerable against the English seamers in the series.
India had grabbed a 1-0 lead in the five-match series but faltered in the third Test match where they were down and out at 78 runs in the first innings and eventually lost a lopsided contest by an innings and 76 runs.
The batting in particular keeps getting exposed in conditions that aid swing bowlers and the third match was a stark reminder of what had transpired in Adelaide, Australia, where the batting meltdown led to the entire playing XI out for 36 runs -- India's lowest-ever score in Test matches.
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"What happened in the match is that India got into trouble because of the batting collapse. They need to address the root cause which is try and see whether five batsman plus Pant is enough or do they need an additional batsman at the expense of sacrificing a utility cricketer. This is something they need to look at. If you bring a Vihari to bolster your batting, he can give you a few overs of spin. I will not make fit someone so the rest will have to adjust. I won't do that. I think the team management has plans, they know who can deliver what," Raman told Etv Bharat Bharat during a virutal press conference.
Although, team's skipper Virat Kohli had made it clear in the post match presser that he is not going to tinker with the batting line-up much as losing out on a bowler, who win Test matches for the team, so as to provide cushion in batting is a situation where teams look to save the game and not to win it, an idea Kohli is completely averse to.
But he agreed that "the lower order can't bail the team out all the time".
The skipper himself is going through a lean patch and has only been able to manage one half in the series so far. On Virat Kohli's form, Raman said that the captain needs to let others lead from the front so as to minimise the pressure on him.
"See we cannot really fault him. What can generally be the norm in life and other spheres might not apply in cricket always. I mean, what has happened is, there is a lot of pressure on Virat himself. We pay a lot of attention to everything he does. We know he is one of the best batsmen so we expect a lot from him. It’s similar to how it was with Sachin Tendulkar when he was playing. Even 95 was considered a failure," Raman said.
"If I was Virat’s coach, I would tell him: "Virat, enough of this leading from the front. Just try and nudge the others from behind and get them to do what they can deliver. I’m sure you’ll be back at your best in no time". He did show shades of his old game/fluency in the last innings. I’m sure he will definitely do well in the next two Test matches.
"As a leader I’ll tell him, you need to discard and forget this thing of leading from the front. Nudge others and lead from behind."
As of now the Indian team is gunning for a fightback after the humiliating loss and subsequent criticism that followed, and would look to get their selection right as the pitch at Oval is said to be the flattest of all venues in the series meaning a spinner might come into play.
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Playing Ashwin, who became the arch-nemesis of Steve Smith in Australia and followed it up with becoming highest Indian wicket-taker in the World Test Championship, has gained voice for his penchant of aggressive bowling and taking key wickets at crucial junctures.
Raman believes lot of factors come into play to make it to the final playing XI, which includes temperament and what one can deliver for its team.
"If you play a Jadeja or Ashwin, what are their individual temperaments? For example, Virat can tell Jadeja what he expects from him. They can perhaps even insist that this is what is expected of you. On the other hand, Ashwin is a guy who is aggressive, who likes to go for wickets and has his own mind. It's not that Ashwin is not for the team, he is completely for the team but he has his way of doing things. The captain will also look for the temperament of an individual and the assess. There are lot of things that goes into deciding on who's playing and who's not. It's not just the numbers alone," he signed off.
India will meet England on Thursday in the 4th Test at Oval. The series currently stands at 1-1.
When and where to watch:
Watch the 4th test of India tour of England, LIVE from 3:30 pm IST on SONY SIX & SONY TEN 4 (Tamil & Telugu) channels from 2nd to 6th September 2021.
Ayushmaan Pandey
