Despite a valiant effort by Ravindra Jadeja and heroics from tailenders Bumrah and Siraj, India failed to chase 193 at Lord’s. The defeat highlights a decade-long pattern of poor fourth-innings chases since Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement.
London [UK], July 16:
India’s long-standing troubles in fourth-innings run chases were once again exposed at Lord’s, the iconic ‘Home of Cricket’, as the team failed to chase down a modest 193-run target in the third Test against England, losing by 22 runs and slipping to a 1-2 deficit in the five-match series.
Despite Ravindra Jadeja’s gritty knock and unexpected resistance from tailenders Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, the visitors crumbled under pressure and were bowled out, continuing a trend of fourth-innings failures that has haunted the team since Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement in November 2013.
Post-Tendulkar Era: India’s Fourth-Innings Chase Struggles
Since December 2013, Team India has chased down 150-plus targets in Test matches successfully only twice, while losing 17 times and drawing seven. This statistical slump raises serious questions about India’s temperament and execution in pressure chases, even with star names like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ajinkya Rahane, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Rishabh Pant in the mix over the years.
India’s Only Two Successful Chases Since 2013 Over 150+:
- Brisbane (2021) vs Australia – India chased 328, with Shubman Gill (91) and Rishabh Pant (89)* scripting a historic win at the Gabba, denying Australia a win at the venue after 32 years, and sealing a 2-1 series win.
- Ranchi (2024) vs England – India chased 192, with crucial knocks by Rohit Sharma (55), *Shubman Gill (52), and a calm finish by *Dhruv Jurel (39), helping India clinch the series 3-1.
High-Profile Failures While Chasing:
India has also faltered chasing relatively moderate totals:
- 193 vs England at Birmingham (2018) – All out for 162
- 245 vs England at Southampton (2018) – All out for 184
- 176 vs Sri Lanka at Galle (2015) – All out for 112
- 208 vs South Africa at Cape Town (2018) – All out for 135
- 231 vs England at Hyderabad (2024) – All out for 202
These repeated failures underscore a persistent vulnerability in pressure chases, regardless of the strength of the batting order on paper.
What Went Wrong at Lord’s?
After being reduced to 58/4, India further slumped to 82/7, making the chase appear insurmountable. But Jadeja, in his trademark gritty style, resisted with a fighting fifty, while Bumrah and Siraj showed heart with the bat, reducing the margin of defeat. Yet, the team failed to finish the job—again.
Can India Reverse the Trend?
With two Tests remaining in the England series, the big question is whether India can break the post-Tendulkar jinx and reestablish themselves as capable chasers under pressure. The onus now lies on the batting unit, especially the seniors, to step up when it matters most.