India’s media adds salt to gaping wound of cricket team
England register crushing defeat
New Delhi – India’s media yesterday lashed out at “abysmal batting” that led to a crushing innings defeat by England in the second Test at Lord’s.
Mail Today called India’s performance a “humiliating defeat” while The Hindu newspaper’s headline said “Another abysmal batting display sends India to its doom” after the team were bowled out for 107 and 130.
The tourists lost by an innings and 159 runs to go 2-0 down in the five Test series.
Indian writers lambasted batsmen while hailing England’s pace spearhead James Anderson who took nine wickets in the match.
“For the World No 1 Test team that vowed to play aggressive cricket, its creden- tials in tough overseas conditions lay tattered amid a batting crisis,” wrote the Hindustan Times.
The Times of India hailed Anderson as England’s “crafty maestro”. India’s batting legend Sachin Tendulkar praised England pacemen and Chris Woakes for his 137 not out.
Former Test batsman VVS Laxman said on Twitter that “caught in unfavourable conditions, not reading what the opposition threw, saw India lose the Lord’s Test tamely without showing a fight.
Veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle said: “The newball is a big factor overseas. When the openers blunt the new ball, they give life to the middle order. India is getting nothing from its openers and that is where the comeback, if there is one, has to start.”
The third Test starts at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Saturday.