India head coach Rahul Dravid was point-blank in his evaluation that the 469 they conceded after electing to bowl on a “inexperienced wicket” put India on the again foot. It meant taking part in catch up for the remainder of the WTC closing at The Oval.
“It wasn’t a 469 wicket,” Dravid instructed Star Sports activities, after Australia wrapped up a 209-run victory. “On the primary day, final session, conceding 157 [for no wicket] was disappointing. We knew the strains and lengths we wanted to bowl; the lengths weren’t unhealthy, however we went broad with our strains, gave a variety of room to Travis Head, he capitalised and we fell behind.”
That mentioned, Dravid additionally rued India’s dismissals late on the fourth day in a chase of 444. Rohit Sharma was out sweeping Nathan Lyon, Cheteshwar Pujara out to an tried ramp and Shubman Gill caught within the gully to a contentious catch that elicited widespread debate.
“Yesterday I felt on this wicket, we performed three-four pictures, we might’ve been a bit cautious,” Dravid mentioned. “It was powerful, [but] there was hope. Nonetheless far behind you might be, you at all times struggle. Within the two years, we have had conditions the place we have been behind however have made comebacks.
“The great factor was we have been behind for 2 days on this Take a look at however did not hand over and fought nicely. We would have liked an distinctive efficiency, a giant partnership [on the final day]. We had the gamers, however they [Australia] had the higher hand, they bowled nicely, acquired a few wickets and it may well occur.”
Why did India select to bowl within the WTC closing?
Requested about India’s choice to bowl first, Dravid mentioned overhead situations performed a giant function in that. Because it turned out, barring the primary hour, the remainder of the Take a look at was performed in wonderful sunshine with temperatures touching 30 levels C on the fourth and fifth days.
Most of this WTC closing was performed in wonderful sunshine•Related Press
“Within the [first] morning, there was a variety of grass, the overhead situations have been cloudy and, in England, we felt batting will get simpler – even on the fourth and fifth day, there wasn’t a lot occurring,” Dravid mentioned. “Lot of groups win the toss and subject. At 70 [76] for 3, we felt it was an excellent choice, however the complexion of the sport modified within the two classes after that.
“Had we…..
