Michael Atherton Critiques England's Strategy Against India in Test Match

Atherton's Criticism of England's Tactics

Former cricketer Michael Atherton did not hold back in his criticism of the tactical decisions made by Ben Stokes and the England team during the fourth day of the first Test at Headingley. He specifically targeted the approach taken against India's KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.

The duo of Rahul and vice-captain Pant turned the match in India's favor with a remarkable partnership of 195 runs, putting England under significant pressure. Their combination of aggressive and composed batting captivated the audience and exploited the weaknesses of England's inexperienced bowling lineup.

England's Defensive Strategy Backfires

Rahul and Pant concluded their innings with scores of 137 off 347 balls and 118 off 140 balls, respectively, placing India in a commanding position. Throughout their innings, Stokes opted for a defensive strategy, removing slips at a ground where many wickets typically fall to catches behind the stumps, allowing India to accelerate their scoring.

Atherton remarked on Sky Sports, "England's tactics were quite peculiar at the beginning of the second session, as Stokes adopted a defensive stance, leaving no slips in place. Most wickets at Headingley come from slips, and there were none when Pant edged two. After that, India really stepped on the gas."

Shastri Applauds the Partnership

Ravi Shastri, the former head coach and cricketer, praised the 'masterpiece' performance by Rahul and Pant. However, he noted that Pant's aggressive batting style created a dilemma for India regarding the timing of their declaration.

"Pant has advanced the game significantly. He has created a dilemma for India regarding when to declare and how many runs to aim for. There’s a lot to consider, but India will be thrilled with the technical brilliance from Rahul and the exuberance that Pant brings," Shastri commented.

End of a Thrilling Partnership

The exciting partnership came to an end when England's leading spinner, Shoaib Bashir, dismissed Pant, who was caught by Zak Crawley after hitting the ball straight to him, concluding his innings at 118 off 140 balls.

Rahul soon followed Pant back to the dressing room after attempting a cut shot but was deceived by extra bounce, resulting in an inside edge that knocked the ball onto his stumps.