Dean Jones shares a lesson for the Indian batsmen to be able to score runs in England

Team India was given a target of 194 by the hosts after they were shot out for 180 in their second innings but the Indian batsmen came up with a script during the chase which was identical to their first and it was all left to skipper Virat Kohli to take them home. But Kohli, who was unbeaten on 43 overnight, could add just eight runs to his tally. India were shot out for 162 in their second innings, losing a game they looked favourites to win, by 31 runs and concede England a 1-0 lead.

After the loss Former Australian batsman Dean Jones said Indian batsmen needed to realise that to score consistently in the ongoing Test series in England, they must prioritise their defence – forward and backward – besides perfecting the art of leaving the ball. He said if they failed to do the job, they will get exposed before the English bowlers.

Dean Jones’ advice

The former cricketer tweeted after India lost the first Test against England in Birmingham by 31 runs despite being in the driver’s seat till Day 3: “I hope the Indian Batsmen realise that to make consistent runs in UK.. that their defence must be a priority.. Forward defence, Back defence and leaving the ball. If they have a weakness .. these Eng Bowlers will find it!”

I hope the Indian Batsmen realise that to make consistent runs in UK.. that their defence must be a priority.. Forward defence, Back defence and leaving the ball. If they have a weakness .. these Eng Bowlers will find it!

— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) August 4, 2018

In the first innings, too, India faced a batting debacle before Kohli slammed 149 to take them closer to England’s 287 but fell short by 13 runs. Sam Curran, who was playing just his second Test, was adjudged the man of the match because of his five-wicket haul in the game besides a half-century.

The Indian batsmen would have to pay focus on Professor Deano’s words since they were getting far too many times bowled, leg before or caught behind the wicket. While as many as six Indian wickets fell to either bowled or leg before in the first innings and three batsmen were leg before in the second, England wicket-keeper Johnny Bairstow took five wickets in the second innings.

In terms of stats, while Kohli alone managed 200 runs in two innings out of India’s total score of 436, the rest 18 wickets could put together just 236 at an appalling average of 13.11.

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