So much disappointment in the air after the poignant end to the 4th Test at Southampton. It was a 'test' in which indeed Team India failed, and dare we say that the better team won. It was a classic case of 'so near yet to so far'. The team which lost was truly on top at crucial junctures of the game, and also on the last day of the test till Kohli was at the crease with that, or what could have been a series deciding partnership with Rahane. Kohli's exit meant England had a definite sniff at getting back into the game and target victory. Not taking anything from Moeen Ali and the English bowlers, but India could have shown more mettle. Especially Hardik Pandya and the lower order batsmen, who could have taken a cue out of the English lower order batsmen. Eventually, Team India lost by a not so far 60 odd runs.
If you check the scorecards, the top order from both teams have failed. Barring Virat Kohli, none of the Top 4 from either team was amongst runs consistently in the series. The No 6, 7 and 8 have done bulk of the scoring for England. For India, once Virat Kohli was back in the pavillion, the batting wilted under pressure of good conditions for seam and swing bowling. Did we miss Rohit Sharma at 6? I guess not! We probably had a worthy option in Karun Nair and now Hanuma Vihari as well. India will do no harm by blooding Hanuma Vihari or Karun Nair. It is their batting that needs attention. I would still not axe either of KL Rahul or Shikhar Dhawan. Rahul has been excellent in the slips, and Shikhar has looked good during his brief stays at the crease. Prithvi Shaw is young and perhaps can wait. India would also do well to ask for more reassuring runs from both Hardik Pandya and Ravi Ashwin (i.e. if he plays in the next match). Hardik Himanshu Pandya in particular has not batted like a middle order batsman. The weight of expectations may mean we ask too much of him. His First Class Average is under 30, his ODI average is 29.13 and so his Test average of 31+ means he has done well for himself in the recent past (albeit in home conditions, 18 innings in all, majority of which were in Indian conditions)
But to be counted as a real Test level batsman, you have to stand up and deliver in overseas conditions like these, build partnerships, forget about the booming sixes and put a price on your wicket. He is talented for sure, but he needs to remind everyone of his talent once in a while atleast. I sense he would be edgy for a good performance with the bat in the 5th Test. His bowling has impressed one and all. He is only 24 though and this series will have an indellible effect to his learning process as a Test cricketer.
England's narrow escape also had a casualty: Alastair Cook. The run machine from England retires a tad early in his career much like the prolific Marcus Trescothik in limited overs cricket albeit for entirely different reasons. England would like to believe they have a Rory Burns ready and in-line to replace him immediately, but it is the other opener they should be more worried about. I am not an expert in English cricket, but Bairstow looks like a good option to open in all formats. The fact is that England need someone prolific at the top, and someone who is technically sound if not a specialist. They will struggle against quality bowling attacks, and I see more and more pressure on Root and the middle order in the upcoming tours. England at the moment are relying too much on their allrounders !!
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