Cricket experts Steve Harmison and Nasser Hussain believe India sorely missed Virat Kohli’s masterclass in run-chasing during their recent Lord’s Test loss, while Greg Chappell critiqued Ravindra Jadeja’s approach in the same match.
The Kohli Impact: A Missing ‘King’
India’s pursuit of 193 runs on the final day at Lord’s ended 22 runs short, a defeat many felt could have been avoided with a specific player on the field: Virat Kohli.
Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison highlighted Kohli’s exceptional ability to calculate and control run-chases. He described Kohli’s approach as “computer-like,” adept at assessing conditions and dictating the innings tempo.
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Harmison stated, “India has to start believing. This is where the likes of Virat Kohli were unbelievable. In a fourth innings chase, he goes and wins the game comfortably. He would have won that game comfortably at Lord’s.”
This sentiment was echoed by former England captain Nasser Hussain on Sky Sports. “No Virat Kohli, he’s retired, he was the king of run chases. India needs to find a new one that will see them over the line,” Hussain remarked, emphasizing Kohli’s unique prowess.
Jadeja’s Innings: A Strategic Debate
Ravindra Jadeja’s performance in the Lord’s chase sparked considerable debate among cricket pundits. With India reeling at 112/8, Jadeja stood as the last recognized batter, needing to score the remaining runs with the help of tailenders Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
Though Bumrah and Siraj showed commendable resilience, sticking with Jadeja for a period, questions arose about Jadeja’s batting pace. He scored 61 runs off 181 balls, an innings that some felt was too slow given the match situation.
Former Indian coach Greg Chappell was among those who believed Jadeja should have adopted a more aggressive approach. In his column for ESPN Cricinfo, Chappell emphasized that Jadeja’s role was to win the match, not just accumulate singles.
“The truth is, Jadeja was the only recognised batter left. If India were to chase down the target, he had to take calculated risks,” Chappell wrote. “His job wasn’t to leave balls and collect singles – it was to win the match.”
Chappell argued that clear instructions should have come from the dressing room: “He needed to be told directly: ‘You are the man who has to get this done. The tail’s job is to hang in there with you, but you must go for the win.'”
- Virat Kohli’s absence was keenly felt in India’s run-chase at Lord’s, with experts believing he could have secured a comfortable win.
- Kohli is praised for his exceptional ability to dictate the tempo and control high-pressure chases.
- Ravindra Jadeja’s innings, though resilient, faced criticism for not being aggressive enough given his role as the last specialist batter.
- Greg Chappell stressed that Jadeja should have prioritized winning the match by taking calculated risks.
The Lord’s Test highlighted the critical role of experienced, aggressive finishers and the ongoing strategic debates in modern cricket chases.
