Ajinkya Rahane Highlights Bowling Concerns Ahead of Final Test Against England
Rahane's Insights on India's Performance
New Delhi, July 28: Former Indian captain Ajinkya Rahane has expressed that while the batting lineup of the Indian team has performed exceptionally well, there are significant concerns regarding the bowling attack as they prepare for the fifth Test against England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval, set to commence on Thursday.
As the series stands, India is trailing 1-2 after four Tests, and both teams are gearing up for the final match in London. India faced challenges in the first Test at Headingley and the third Test at Lord's, where they were outperformed by the English bowlers.
In a bid to stay competitive, India managed to secure a draw at Old Trafford in Manchester, keeping the series alive. Rahane pointed out that the bowling unit is an area of concern that the team needs to address.
"The Indian team is performing well, and the batting has been outstanding. However, the bowling department is a worry. A few bowlers are doing well, but they lack adequate support," Rahane mentioned on his YouTube channel.
India's batting prowess has been evident throughout the series, with Washington Sundar scoring his first Test century in the drawn fourth match, bringing the total number of individual centuries in the series to 11, matching their all-time record set against the West Indies in 1978-79.
The batting showcase began in Leeds, where India, despite losing the first Test, demonstrated their batting strength with five individual centuries. Youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a composed 101, while captain Shubman Gill made a remarkable 147. Vice-captain Rishabh Pant dazzled with scores of 134 and 118 in the two innings, and KL Rahul contributed a fluent 137.
In the second Test held in Birmingham, Shubman Gill dominated with a stunning 269 in the first innings and followed it up with 161 in the second, leveling the series at 1-1.
During the third Test at Lord's, KL Rahul showcased his talent with a gritty century, but India fell short, trailing 2-1 in the series. The Manchester Test highlighted India's resilience, with Gill scoring his fourth century of the series under pressure with a score of 103.
On the final day of that match, Ravindra Jadeja scored an unbeaten 107, and Washington Sundar secured his maiden century with 101 not out. Their unbroken partnership of 203 runs was crucial in saving the match and keeping the series alive as they head into the final Test.
With the batting-friendly conditions in England, the bowling units of both teams are closely matched. India has taken 65 wickets across four Tests, while England has claimed 70, reflecting the narrow margin that has contributed to India's current 2-1 deficit.