3 reasons why India lost Headingley Test

India is currently touring England for a five-match Test series, with the opening Test began on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. Despite scoring over 800 runs across both innings and registering five centuries, India fell short and suffered a five-wicket defeat as England pulled off a remarkable chase of 371 runs on the final day, marking their second-highest successful run chase in Test history. Here are three key reasons behind India’s loss in the Headingley Test.

Dropped catches at crucial moments

India had set England a challenging target, but their fielding let them down significantly. The visitors dropped more than half a dozen catches in both innings, some straightforward, others difficult, but most came at critical moments. The multiple drops allowed England’s batters to settle and build partnerships. If India had held onto those chances, the outcome could have been different and so the missed opportunities ultimately proved costly.

Inconsistent bowling performance

Although the Headingley pitch was more favorable to batters, India’s bowlers failed to adapt their lines and lengths to the conditions. While Jasprit Bumrah claimed a five-wicket haul in the first innings, he went wicketless in the second. Other pacers like Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Shardul Thakur took wickets but were expensive and inconsistent, allowing England to score freely. Ravindra Jadeja bowled economically but was unable to exploit the rough patches effectively to pick up key wickets. The lack of control and pressure from the bowling unit gave England the upper hand.

Over-reliance on top-order batters

India’s batting unit did score heavily, with centuries from KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Shubman Gill. However, the lower-middle order and tail failed to contribute meaningfully in both innings. India suffered collapses after solid starts, losing 6-7 wickets in quick succession, which restricted their ability to build on their advantage and post bigger totals. The lack of depth in the lower order became apparent and denied India the extra runs that could have changed the match in their favour.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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