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It turned out to be a heartbreaking end for India in a thrilling five-day Test match against England at Lords as the visitors ended up losing the game by 22 runs on day 5. Chasing a target of 193 runs, while bowled out for 170 runs with Ravindra Jadeja coming out as a lone warrior with his unbeaten 61*(181) runs. However, veteran India batter Ajinkya Rahane feels that Karun Nair’s dismissal on day four turned out to be a game changing point which made England win the match.
After bowling England out for 192 runs during third session on day four, India came to bat with a few overs remaining on the day. After early dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and Karun Nair took the innings further and were aiming to end the day without losing any more wicket. However, as India were 41/1, Nair fell in the trap of Brydon Carse and got LBW out. After that, India went on to lose quick wickets of skipper Shubman Gill followed by night watchman Akash Deep as India were 58/4 while chasing 193 after the end of day four.
"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,” Rahane said in a video on his YouTube channel.
India fought back really well but credit goes to England: Ajinkya Rahane
Losing early wickets by the end of day four went on to affect India as the visitors couldn't get a big partnership on day five and went on to lose wickets at regular intervals. Early on the day, India lost Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul respectively in the first hour. After that, Ravindra Jadeja kept fighting from one end but couldn’t get much support by other batter. While India were nine down, Mohammed Siraj was taking the innings furhter but his unfortunate dismissal against Shoaib Bashir ended India’s innings as England scripted a memorable win at Lords to go 2-1 in a five-match series.
"That's what you want to see in Test cricket, all the 11 fielders coming together and looking to win the Test match. It was so good to see their attitude and character on the field, even though India fought back really well but credit goes to England, the way they came back in the game and won the Test match,” Ajinkya Rahane said.
