Karthik opined Oval ground is best for Kohli, Rahane, and Pujara to rediscover their form.
Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik on Wednesday (September 2) said that India’s massive defeat in the third Test in Leeds last week will spur the tourists to do better against England in the two remaining Tests of the ongoing five-match Test series.
The commentator also reminded India’s victorious campaign in Australia earlier this year when they were bowled out for 36 in Adelaide, but then they made a remarkable comeback, winning in Melbourne and Brisbane, and went on secure a historic Test series with a second-string squad.
And Karthik expects something similar in England too and said that the defeat in Leeds was a humbling experience for Virat Kohli and his team, but they will take on board the lessons learned and quickly move on and deliver what they are known for, saying there are still chances of India winning Test series in England.
Karthik wrote in his column for The Telegraph: “The last time India were bowled out for less than 100 in an away Test, they roared back brilliantly to beat the Australian lion in its own den in the winter. In that sense, they have a little bit of history to fall back on, and the Leeds defeat will spur them to do better in the two remaining Tests.”
He further wrote, “Leeds was a humbling experience, without a doubt, but there is too much experience and quality in the Indian ranks for them to be bogged down by a Test match in which nothing went right. Knowing them, they will take on board the lessons learned and quickly move on, which is most prudent given the short turnover between matches and with a series still to be won.”
Recalling India’s last Test series victory in England and memories from The Oval Test in 2007, the 36-year-old has stressed that the Indian team needs a collective effort from the batting line-up.
He further explained, “When India last won a series in England in 2007, Anil Kumble got our only hundred of the series in the final Test at The Oval, but there were five other fifties -- including 90s from MS Dhoni and myself -- in our first-innings 664, reiterating the significance of the collective.
Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane, India's three most experienced batsmen, have only one fifty each in five innings apiece. But knowing how much pride they take in making a difference, they will be itching to correct that anomaly as we approach the business end of the series. What better ground to rediscover run-scoring ways than The Oval?”
Karthik has completed his commentary stint after the third Test in England ended and will leave for the UAE to take part in the second phase of the IPL 2021, where he will turn out for Kolkata Knight Riders and he thanked everyone for an overwhelming response in his maiden commentary stint.
He signed off by saying, “On a personal note, I am off to the UAE to quarantine and train before the IPL resumes on September 19. May I say what an absolute pleasure it has been to spend the last two-and-a-half months in England, sharing the commentary box with several legends of the game.”
(With IANS Inputs)