Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar heaped praise on Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, saying the two senior batters used all their experience to put on a crucial partnership when the team needed it the most in Lord’s against England in the 2nd Test.
However, Pujara and Rahane stepped up and delivered when India needed their two most experienced batsmen to step up. India were reduced to 55 for 3 in the 2nd innings at Lord’s as they lost their openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul and skipper Virat Kohli in quick succession. With the lead not more than 27 runs, India were in a spot of bother.
Pujara and Rahane added 100 runs for the 4th wicket, bailing India out of trouble at the iconic venue in London. Rahane made 61 while Pujara took 206 balls for his 45 as India stretched their lead. More importantly, the senior batters helped India play out time and put the pressure back on England on the penultimate day of the Test.
“They did (play a crucial role). Both of them are what you call low-profile players and not high-profile players. They don’t get the attention that some others do. It may be because of the style of play or whatever but they are invaluable to the team and they brought all their experience to play,” Gavaskar told Sony Sports after India’s 151-run win in the Lord’s Test.
“They hadn’t scored runs in the first Test. So it was clear that they were under pressure. They hadn’t scored runs in the first innings as well. There were a lot of questions asked about their place in the team and they responded in the only way they can, by stitching together a partnership when it was most needed.
“India were only 28 runs ahead and had lost their best batsmen Virat Kohli when these two came together. Fabulous effort,” he added.
India eventually went on to post 298 for 8 declared and set a target of 272 runs for England. Mohammed Shami (56) and Jasprit Bumrah (34) stitched an unbeaten 89-run stand for the 9th wicket on Day 5 to box England out of the contest. India pacers unleashed their best on Monday as England were bundled out for 120 in their final innings.
