Former India skipper Ajinkya Rahane has expressed significant concerns regarding the team ahead of the final Test of the series. His remarks come shortly after India’s remarkable fightback in Manchester, where they managed to draw the match after batting for nearly two full days.
Sharing his thoughts on his YouTube channel, Ajinkya Rahane praised the Indian batting unit for their strong performance but pointed out that the bowling attack has struggled collectively. He noted that while the batters showed resilience, the bowlers have yet to deliver as a cohesive unit.
India’s bowling performance in the series has been underwhelming, especially in Manchester, where they conceded close to 700 runs in England’s only innings. India narrowly escaped defeat as centuries from Gill, Jadeja, and Sundar secured a hard-fought draw.
“The India team is playing well, and the batting unit has been fantastic. What concerns the Indian team is the bowling department. A couple of bowlers are bowling well, but they are not getting the support,” Rahane said on his YouTube channel.
It’s important to note that India’s bowling resources were weakened in Manchester due to injuries to Nitish Kumar Reddy and Akash Deep. Reddy had impressed with the ball during the third Test at Lord’s, and Akash Deep played a pivotal role in India’s victory at Birmingham, where he was named Player of the Match.
India’s Bowling Woes Spark Questions Over Team Selection
One possible reason for the bowling unit’s underperformance could be the team selection. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has faced significant criticism for his cautious approach in picking the playing XI. Critics have pointed out Gambhir’s tendency to favour all-rounders instead of specialist bowlers.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar even suggested that the team’s achievements in the series are more a result of the players’ determination than the effectiveness of Gambhir’s strategies.
“India have performed well despite some of his tactical missteps. Let’s not forget: India were swept 3-0 at home by New Zealand, who then lost comfortably to Australia. The fight we’ve seen? That’s the players’ grit. Tactically, Gambhir hasn’t always made it easier, particularly with selections.”
“And to suggest that Karun Nair ‘wasn’t dropped’… come on. You guys see it as a drop, for them it’s about ‘picking the right team’,” Manjrekar said on the broadcast after the conclusion of the 4th Test.
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