India after a rain affected first Test against England at Trent Bridge had a good outing in second Test match at Lord’s as they scored 364 runs in the first innings thanks to a fantastic century by opening batsman KL Rahul.
While India openers were at their best, their middle order failed yet again as Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane were dismissed cheaply. The former India batsman Aakash Chopra in his latest YouTube video addressed this issue.
“India's No.3 and No.5 problem is still there but it is getting hidden slightly because the others are doing well. But the fact is that Pujara is looking uncertain, a little shaky, and the same can be said about Ajinkya Rahane,” Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.
While Rahane has just one 50-plus score to his name in the last 15 Test innings, Pujara on the other hand has a highest score of 21 in a Test innings in his last 10 outings.
Despite their failures, the cricketer-turned-commentator is hopeful of Rahane and Pujara turning things around in the second innings at the iconic Lord's.
“Ajinkya Rahane got out on the first ball. Jimmy Anderson - it was a delivery outside off, played and got caught in the slips. I used to call one of them dependable and the other consistent but currently, their wagon is stuck somewhat. I really hope that they get back on track,” the 43-year-old signed off.
As far as the second Test match is concerned, at the end of day’s play on Day 2, the scoreboard reads 119/3 with the hosts trailing the tourists by 245 runs with skipper Joe Root (48) and Jonny Bairstow (6) at the crease.
