NEWS
Follow UsFormer India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes India should have played Ravichandran Ashwin in the second Test at Lord's as he would have come in handy on days four and five with the pitch getting slower.
Ashwin had to sit out once again as India went in with four pacers with Ravindra Jadeja being the only spinner available at India's disposal. “Let's be fair, let's be honest, the tail was too long. Shami, Siraj, Bumrah, Ishant - I mean you don't expect a lot of runs. So it has come back to bite you because none of the four fast bowlers you played bat,” Chopra quipped.
“You have not played Ravichandran Ashwin and this pitch is getting slower. The edges are also not carrying and that's another thing that is going to be a regular feature of this Test match that the pitch is getting slower and slightly lower. You need spin on the fourth and fifth day, it is almost certain,” he added.
India went in with a similar bowling combination in the first Test at Trent Bridge and in the second Test at Lord's, they roped in Ishant Sharma in place of the injured Shardul Thakur.
Riding on a magnificent century from KL Rahul, India posted 364 in their first innings. England captain Joe Root brught up his 22nd ton on Day Three as England look to set a platform to take a lead.