Debasis Sen in London
It has been a fascinating third Test match between India and England, with both sides having an opportunity to win it. The hosts need another six wickets on the fifth and final day while India will require another 135 runs to go 2-1 ahead in the five-match Test series. Set a target of 193 runs, the visitors are 58/4. Former chairman of England, David Graveney, in an exclusive chat with Revsportz reckons KL Rahul holds the key for India while Ben Stokes and Brydon Crase will pose a serious threat on the fifth-day wicket at Lord’s.
“I think it’s been a really good Test so far. It is always exciting when a draw is not part of the equation. It is difficult to chase as the wicket has something in it for the seam bowlers. Once you lose a few wickets, it is always going to be difficult. So, Rahul obviously will be the big wicket for England. I do really think he is an exceptional player. And then you have Pant coming as well, so things can change in an hour, the way that he plays. England will be happy that they have picked four wickets,” David Graveney told Revsportz from his residence in Bristol.
Graveney also added, “I think what will worry the Indian team is that their lower order has not been up to the task. But Ravindra Jadeja has been marshalling the lower order very well. There have not been a lot of runs scored from India’s 9, 10 and 11. If England can get Rahul out early on the final day, they will definitely feel they have a chance.”
England pacer Carse bowled with a lot of fire in the final session on Day 4, picking the wickets of the in-form Indian captain Shubman Gill and Karun Nair. England captain Stokes too has been brilliant with the ball in this series so far.
According to Graveney, “England cannot afford to relax a bit. I think the major threat for India will be Carse and Stokes. Stokes has a magic arm and will have to play a big role if England are to win this Test match.”
Harry Brook, currently the No 1 Test batter, has come in for a lot of criticism for his ultra-aggressive approach in this Test match. Brook smashed Akash Deep for two fours and a six in the same over before throwing away his wicket attempting a premeditated sweep. Graveney, though, backed Brook for the manner in which he plays his game.
“I think that is the modern-day game. It is quite exciting the way he plays. He is the number 1 ranked player in Test cricket and that’s the way he plays. Sometimes he chooses the wrong ball to do something like that. I know Harry really well. I would never want to sort of deter him from doing that because the opposition always feel he is a wicket they desperately need. He is a bit like Rishabh Pant. If he stays in the middle for a while, then he can take the game away from you. He is always a threat to the opposition,” said Graveney.
Finally, talking about the outcome of the series, Graveney said, “It has been a fantastic series so far. Whoever wins this Test, will have their nose ahead towards clinching the series with two more Tests to go. I am hearing Bumrah will play only one more Test, so it will definitely be a factor. Although the other Indian bowlers stepped up at Edgbaston. England definitely got some issues at the top of the order, which they will have to sort out.”
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