India’s mindless batting again collapses in the headingley

India’s lower order once again failed to make most of the top order’s brilliance in the IND vs ENG 1st Test. For the second successive inning, the visitors allowed England back into the game with some shoddy batting. India were cruising at 333/4 despite Rishabh Pant’s dismissal, but slipped to 364 in a disappointing collapse at Headingley.

IND vs ENG: Top order shines, lower order crumbles again

India’s batting suffered a second successive collapse in a matter of days in the IND vs ENG 1st Test in Headingley, Leeds. In the first innings, the Men in Blue were in a commanding position with 430/3 on the board. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant were at the crease with the visitors aiming for a 600+ score. What followed was a shoddy display, with India slipping to 471 all out. Gill and Co lost 7 wickets for 41 runs handing England a way back into the contest.

A similar story followed in the second innings. Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul scored centuries and despite the former’s dismissal, India were well set at 333/4. However, Rahul’s dismissal then triggered a collapse. At one point, India lost 3 wickets in 4 balls to Josh Tongue. The visitors were eventually all out for 364, setting a target of 371. On a day when India could have set a daunting 400+ total, Gill and Co crumbled to to 31/6 to be bowled out in Leeds.

India’s top five vs bottom six in this Test

• Top five: 721 runs
• Bottom six: 65 runs

IND vs ENG: Lower order the point of difference?

India’s lower order batting has long been a pain point on overseas tours. In the IND vs ENG Test, the last 5 wickets have combined for 55 across both innings. For England, the same figure was 189, which helped them end the 1st innings on even kneel.

While the likes of Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue all put value on their wickets, India’s bowlers went for the glory shot. Experienced players Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah were dismissed for ducks trying to slog Josh Tongue. Prasidh Krishna also fell the same way after a small partnership with Ravindra Jadeja.

England need 371 to win and the game could eventually come down to how well the lower order chipped in. India have had 5 centuries in the IND vs ENG 1st test, but the others in the line up have simply failed to make a contribution.