EXCELLENT ANALYSIS by Sriram Veera

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https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-vs-england-2nd-test-lords-the-three-joe-root-mistakes-that-helped-india-win-at-lords-7457010/


Explained: The three Root mistakes that helped India win at LordrCOs

India vs England 2nd Test: At the end of the match, Joe Root would admit
that he erred tactically.

It seemed almost personal. A gripe against what the Indians dished out
to James Anderson on the end of Day 3 when Bumrah peppered James
Anderson with snorters.

In carrying out the payback, Root lost the plot. Too micro, too much adrenalin, not much sense. To score points in a battle, they lost the
war. Perhaps he relaxed after the wicket of Rishabh Pant and thought he
could afford to indulge.

Surprisingly, the course correction too didnrCOt come quickly enough as
Root and, by extension, his bowlers, barring Ollie Robinson, went on a mindless bumper barrage. Only 2 per cent of deliveries were full in that lengthy initial period.

At the end of the match, Root would admit that he erred tactically. He
also held back Anderson for too long in the morning, enough for Michael Holding to wonder, rCLWhy is Anderson shining the ball for others, instead
of bowling?rCY

The Indians didnrCOt take a step back. Not once did Bumrah back away. Not
once did Shami slog in that phase.

The Indians were panicking on the balcony in darkness. Virat Kohli and
Rohit Sharma were gesticulating wildly to the Indian batsmen in the
middle, Rishabh Pant and Ishant Sharma, to complain to the umpires about
bad light.

It was clear that the Indians didnrCOt want to bat on in fading light in conditions where Moeen Ali was turning the ball sharply and troubling
the batsmen. Instead of pressing on, Root made a tactical decision to
call stumps by bringing on the seamers and forcing the hands of the umpires.

rCLOne party (within the team) didnrCOt want to stay, one party wanted to stay,rCY Moeen Ali would say at the end of the day to Sky Sports. Ishant looked in trouble against Moeen; even Pant didnrCOt look comfortable. A
wicket there might have well extinguished the Indian fight then and there.

In fact, a wicket could have even led to two, as there were enough overs
left in the day. An odd big over, even if it had come, was worth the
risk, especially when you consider the tripe they bowled on the final day.

It was relatively minor in the scheme of things, but who knows rCo had the
two batted on the next day, the lead could perhaps have been extended to 50.

The decision stands out like a sore thumb because it had no logic.
Anderson had been hit on the helmet, a concussion check was carried out,
and it was clear that he was barely holding on. It was the last over of
the day, and Root played out the first three balls. Then the brain fade
came.

He took a single of the fourth and exposed Anderson. This wasnrCOt a nightwatchman scenario where it was better for the tailender to take
strike. Considering it was the last wicket, it was imperative that Root
took the strike to end the day safely.

Only two balls remained but instead, he allowed the Indians to have a
crack at an already-beleaguered Anderson. He fell, and the lead was
curtailed to 27 when potentially on a fresh day, after some R&R,
Anderson might have hung around for a short while to allow Root to
stretch the lead more.

Regardless of what might have occurred the next morning, that decision didnrCOt make much sense.
--- SBBSecho 3.06-Win32
* Origin: SportNet Gateway Site (24:150/2)