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"Extra Batter Or...?": Rahane Suggests India Should Have A Clear Plan After Lord's Defeat

Akshita Patel

Ajinkya Rahane reviews India's Lord's defeat [Source: @BCCI, @ajinkyarahane88/X.com]Ajinkya Rahane reviews India's Lord's defeat [Source: @BCCI, @ajinkyarahane88/X.com]

India suffered a narrow 22-run loss to England in the third Test at Lord’s, falling behind 1-2 in the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series. Ajinkya Rahane, meanwhile, urged India to focus on playing an extra bowler going forward, as 20 wickets are required to win a Test match. 

Chasing a modest target of 193 at Lord’s, India were bowled out for 170 despite a brave fight from Ravindra Jadeja, who was left unbeaten on 61. India had the game under control on many occasions, but a few mistakes and mishaps cost them a deserved win.

Ajinkya Rahane Bats For An Extra Bowler In India’s Playing XI

Former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane believes India should prioritise strengthening its bowling lineup in the remaining two Tests of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

In his YouTube video, Rahane opined that having an extra bowler is important, as 20 wickets win you a Test match. He wants the men in blue to have a clear plan, as the specialised batters are already in sublime form.

"But I felt India missed an opportunity to get that big score on the board in the first innings. And also, I feel going forward, India should look to add one extra bowler, because you're going to win a Test match or a Test series by getting 20 wickets.  Indian batting unit at the moment are batting really well. So the question is, do you want to have that extra batter or an extra bowler?" Rahane said.

Rahane also opined that India fell 75-100 runs short in the second inning as they were bowled out for 387, thus levelling the scores, instead of taking a lead. 

Rahane Blames Karun Nair For Costly Dismissal

Further in his video, Ajinkya Rahane blamed Karun Nair’s second-innings LBW as the turning point in India’s narrow loss to England at Lord’s. Chasing 193, India were 40/1 when Nair was trapped by Brydon Carse for 14, and Rahane said the momentum shifted sharply after that.

"At that point in time, India were cruising. 40-odd for one, but lbw of Karun Nair that changed the game for India and England. I thought England came back in the game really well and after that, they started bowling well, their intensity on the field, their fielders, the character which they showed was amazing," he added.

Nair, making a comeback after eight years, has scored 135 runs in six innings in the series. Despite some promising starts, he has struggled to convert them into big scores, raising doubts about his place as no. 3 in the playing XI.