28 July,2025 10:32 PM IST | London | mid-day online correspondent
After four hard-fought Tests, India trail 1-2 but remains in contention following a spirited draw in the fourth Test at Old Trafford (Photo: AFP)
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane voiced his concern over India's bowling performance as Shubman Gill and Co. prepare for the decisive fifth Test against England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, set to begin on Thursday at The Oval in London. While praising the cohesion and consistency of India's batting unit throughout the series, Rahane noted that the bowling department has been underwhelming at crucial junctures, that could determine the outcome of the final Test.
After four hard-fought Tests, India trail 1-2 but remains in contention following a spirited draw in the fourth Test at Old Trafford. That result kept the visitors alive heading into the final encounter. However, Rahane pointed out that India was distinctly outbowled in both the series opener at Headingley and the third Test at Lord's, matches that swung heavily in England's favour.
"The India team is playing well, and the batting unit has been fantastic. What concerns the Indian team is the bowling department. A couple of bowlers are bowling well, but they are not getting the support," Rahane said on his YouTube channel.
India's prolific batting performance resonates in the stellar batting display throughout the series. After Washington Sundar hammered his maiden Test hundred in the drawn fourth game, India's tally of individual centuries in the series to 11, equalling their all-time record set against West Indies at home in 1978-79.
The batting extravaganza began in Leeds, where, despite losing the opening Test, India showcased their batting might with five individual hundreds in the match. Young Yashasvi Jaiswal made a composed 101, and captain Shubman Gill registered his first ton of the series with a majestic 147. Vice-captain Rishabh Pant dazzled with 134 in the first innings and followed it up with another hundred, 118 in the second innings. KL Rahul, too, stamped his authority with a fluent 137.
The second Test in Birmingham belonged entirely to Gill, who batted like a man on a mission. He hammered 269 in the first innings and followed it up with 161 in the second, as India roared back to level the series 1-1.
In the third Test at Lord's, it was KL Rahul once again showing his class with a gritty 100, but India fell short and slipped behind in the series 2-1. Then came the Manchester Test, where India's resilience was on display. Gill brought up his fourth century of the series, scoring 103 under pressure.
On the final day, Ravindra Jadeja smashed an unbeaten 107, and Sundar calmly brought up his maiden century with 101 not out. The duo's unbroken 203-run stand helped India save the match and keep the series alive going into the final Test.
Meanwhile, with England's benign conditions heavily favouring the batters, the bowling units are separated by the barest of margins. While India has scythed 65 wickets in four Tests, England has returned with 70. The difference of five scalps echoes in India's 2-1 lead.
(With ANI inputs)
