ENG v IND 2018: Dean Jones expects India to bounce back hard after Lord's debacle

Team India are 0-2 down in the ongoing five-Test series against England.

Dean Jones names Virat Kohli as his most favourite player in the world | Getty

There were plenty of hopes from the Virat Kohli led Indian Test team as they embarked on their England tour after winning 9 of their last 10 series. However, the numero uno Test side are yet to prove their mettle on English soil as they lost the first Test at Edgbaston by 31 runs and suffered an innings and 159-run defeat in the second Test at Lord’s to go 2-0 down in the five-Test series.

After being bundled out for 274 and 162 in the opening Test, it was expected that the Indian batsmen would lift their game at the Home of Cricket. Unfortunately, the visiting batters couldn’t able to adjust their game and bowled out for a mere 107 and 130 with James Anderson picking up 9-wicket haul in the match.

After such a miserable show, the backlash from the fans and media was pretty much given. Amidst all the criticism though, former Australia batsman Dean Jones has come out in support of Team India, saying that the criticism is a bit over the top on Kohli and his men.

"It's a tough job being captain of India. It's a tough job done by tough people and Virat is tough. He is my most favourite player in the world. His team may have just got off the boil a little bit but he is batting very very well. He will come back better with this. He will regroup with Ravi (Shastri). They will get busy and I think, inflict a bit of pain by the time England series is over and get ready for the Asia Cup," Jones told India Today.

"Indian batsmen are fine. There have been a lot of balls that are pitching leg and hitting off stump. Unless you are batting with the door, it's a little bit hard. I think we are being a little bit harsh. Couple of mistakes and press are all over them but that's part and parcel of the job when you are playing for India because you have unbelievable expectations," he added.

Citing India’s troubles in England, Jones opined that it is not all due to the poor technique of batsmen but also the lack of preparation.

"India prepared OK. Australia would have been all out for 60. We have had conditions in South Africa when Australia have been bowled out. Our press didn't come hard at us like the Indian press does but I have full faith that they will come back bigger and better. Do not upset the bear, the bear might come back and bite you," he remarked.

The 57-year-old Jones believes even a toss win could turn India’s fortunes in the remaining three Tests.

"There is no doubt India would be disappointed with the way things have gone so far but they can turn it around. All of a sudden, they win a good toss with good conditions all around and they go bang bang bang and the old mojo comes back. You can't win every game all the time. You go back to teams in the sport and you only have had two super teams in cricket. The West Indies team of 80's which was perhaps the greatest team ever and Steve Waugh's team of 2000's," Dean Jones concluded.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 14 Aug, 2018

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