AAKASH CHOPRA OPRA

There are two ways of looking at the series loss in England.

One: You could take heart in the fact that India ran England close in all the Tests except the one at Lord’s. India lost all four tosses and competed on equal terms for the majority of every Test but failed to close the tight moment that defined the result.

Two: You can look back at the tour of South Africa and draw parallels, and perhaps, learn some valuable lessons. India had their moments there also but just like this tour, they couldn’t cross the finish line there. India might not have been outplayed in most of the games, there’s no place to hide from the fact that India lost both the series. While sticking with the first narrative will give hope, it won’t really initiate progress. After all, India drew a Test in South Africa and won a Test in England in 2014 too. Since those were the first tours to these places for most of these players, you could understand the results.

NO. 1, SO WHAT?

But on this tour, India travelled as the No 1 Test side and the current strength, or the lack of it, of their opponents had presented a realistic possibility of winning a series. That’s why it’s prudent to spend more time on the second narrative, for that’ll put the team on the path of improvement.

Players, especially the batsmen, tend to get better with age and experience but it hasn’t