Gautam Gambhir lists out the main reason behind India's poor display at Lord's

Team India is on the ropes in the ongoing second Test against England at Lord’s. The duo of Chris Woakes and Jonny Bairstow batted them out of the game with a partnership of 189 runs. They have extended their lead up to 250 runs now and the visitors will have to bat out of their skins to save this Test match. However, much like many cricket experts, even Gautam Gambhir felt that India missed the third seamer on the pitch and a punt to play Kuldeep Yadav backfired.

Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami bowled exceptionally well upfront but the backup bowlers weren’t good enough for the conditions. Ravi Ashwin and Kuldeep had nothing in the pitch and Hardik Pandya is not a threatening bowler which worked wonders for England and they piled on the agony. With two days to go in the game, they are well on the way to make it 2-0 and either rain or Indian batsmen have to do really well to end this match in a draw.

Shami and Ishant bowled well

Gautam Gambhir, while analysing the third day’s play for the Times of India, felt that Umesh Yadav as the third seamer could’ve made the difference for India. He also praised Shami and Ishant for bowling well on a pitch which had eased out a lot compared to day 2.

“The way Bairstow and Woakes played, they obviously took the game completely away from India. They would’ve missed the presence the third seamer in their line-up after the way Shami and Ishant bowled up front. India were in the game when they had England down to 89/4 in the first session,” he said.

The 36-year-old, however, was also effusive in praise of the England duo which batted cleverly and didn’t give any chance to their opponents to make a comeback in the game. “They both batted really well. It was the turning point of the day. They knew India had two spinners and Hardik Pandya after their lead pacers and played them out carefully,” the left-hander added.

The rain is in the forecast on the fourth day as well and it remains to be seen if the conditions change dramatically once again with the visitors likely to bat in the second innings.

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