Ravi Shastri Analyzes India’s Defeat at Lord’s

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has pinpointed critical moments that led to India’s narrow 22-run defeat against England in the third Test at Lord’s. Shastri highlighted Rishabh Pant’s dismissal in the first innings and Karun Nair’s wicket in the second as pivotal in tilting the match in England’s favor. England now leads the five-match series 2-1 after bowling India out for 170 while chasing 193.

Pant’s Dismissal: A Turning Point

Shastri praised England captain Ben Stokes for his “presence of mind” during Pant’s run out on Day 3, just before lunch. Pant was dismissed for 74, a moment Shastri believes gave England a crucial advantage. “India would have been in the driver’s seat with a lead,” Shastri remarked, emphasizing the significance of this dismissal.

Karun Nair’s Lapse in Concentration

In the second innings, Karun Nair and KL Rahul had steadied India’s chase at 41 for one. However, Nair’s decision to leave a delivery from Brydon Carse resulted in him being adjudged leg before, opening the door for England. Shastri criticized this as a “huge lapse of concentration,” which led to India’s collapse from 42 for two to 82 for seven.

Top Order’s Missed Opportunity

Shastri also commented on the Indian top-order’s lack of prudence in the second innings. He noted that once the ball was older, lower-order batsmen like Siraj, Bumrah, and Jadeja showed solid defense. Shastri suggested that if the top order had been more resilient, India could have secured victory.

Series Outlook and Praise for England

Despite the setback, Shastri remains optimistic about India’s chances to bounce back in the series. He recalled a similar situation in 2021 when India won at Lord’s under his coaching. Shastri acknowledged England’s ability to capitalize on opportunities and praised Stokes’ leadership and bowling efforts, which were instrumental in securing their victory.

Looking Ahead

With two Tests remaining, Shastri anticipates a thrilling conclusion to the series. He believes India has the potential to turn things around and make a strong comeback. The fourth Test is set to begin on July 23 in Manchester, where both teams will aim to seize control of the series.