Dravid acknowledged that the youngsters still learning the art of playing extended innings.
During the first two days of the 1st Test between India and England, the home side, India asserted absolute control, showcasing dominance against the visiting team. However, on the third day, Ollie Pope’s entry to the crease altered the game’s trajectory, particularly with his proficient use of reverse sweeps. India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, pinpointed the critical error that led to their 28-run defeat against England in the opening Test. According to Dravid, the missed opportunity to convert good starts into substantial runs in the first innings proved costly. Despite England succumbing to 246 under the pressure of India’s spinners, Dravid highlighted the significance of capitalizing on favourable conditions.
In the post-match press conference, Dravid stressed, “I believe we left around 70 runs on the board in the first innings. During our first innings, when batting conditions were favourable on day two, we found ourselves in promising situations with good starts, but we failed to capitalize. We didn’t have anyone scoring a big hundred for us. In essence, I feel we left those 70 to 80 runs behind in the first innings. The second innings is always challenging. Chasing 230 is not an easy task and is not accomplished frequently.”
Dravid acknowledged the youthfulness of the current Test squad, stating that many players are still learning the art of playing extended innings. He highlighted the challenge these players face, who often engage in white-ball cricket and may not have ample opportunities in first-class cricket. Despite the learning curve, Dravid expressed confidence in their skills and selection based on merit.
He remarked, “It takes time for players to adjust. They are working hard, putting a lot of thought into their batting. It’s a matter of constant improvement and developing skills to counter challenging conditions better.”
While India dominated the Test for the initial three days, Ollie Pope’s remarkable innings on Day 3, especially his adept use of sweeps, overturned the game dynamics. Pope erased India’s 190-run lead and set a defendable target for England.
Dravid praised Pope’s exceptional skills, stating, “I haven’t seen a better exhibition of sweeping and reverse sweeping in these conditions against such quality bowling. However, Dravid acknowledged that India’s execution was slightly off, expressing the need for better planning and strategies in the next Test to counter Pope’s strengths.
Looking ahead to the second Test scheduled for February 2 at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Andhra Pradesh, Dravid emphasized the importance of a well-executed game plan for India to make a strong comeback against England.
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