Let’s assume that as veteran students of the game, we also have the right to propound theories as much as the experts as to how and why the young Indian team lead by Gill allowed England to sail to victory without a sweat when defeat was imminent. That India batted like champions to begin with is well documented as also that it was the tail that didn’t wag, the slip fielders who didn’t grab chances and two pace bowlers who didn’t bowl according to plan & the sole spinner who didn’t use the ‘rough’ outside off.
Let’s look at the past history of losing matches on the big stage even with two stalwarts, Virat and Rohit shepherding the team and offie Ashwin & versatile Jadeja in the ranks. In the World Cup Final (2023) that India lost, left handed Travis Head almost single handedly turned the chase into a cakewalk for the Aussies, while in the WC Final (2024) south paw, David Miller almost carried the Kiwis home, till SKY took a real blinder ! In Jun2025, the 371 chase on the 5th Day of the First Test at Leeds, had lefty Ben Duckett on a roll. We had no answers – his belligerent innings of 148 sealed the fate of Indians.
Doesn’t India have the right ammunition to defend when attacked by left handed batters as the experience shows ? There’s natural aggression with left handers (we have our own Jaiswal and Pant) but their style of stroke-making also entails risk-taking and affords lot of chances to the slip cordon. The reverse sweeps can fail at times too. The idea should be to get them out early and not settle into a rhythm, that can become mayhem later ! With Ashwin’s prowess against left handers not available, let’s focus on them with the right fields. As someone said, if it’s left than you have to be right (with your strategies) !
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