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Ganguly joins chorus expressing disappointment over India's failed run-chase at Lord's: 'Especially with quality of…'
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly praised Ravindra Jadeja for his fight on the final day of the Lord's Test but was disappointed with the result. Reuters/PTI
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly was among those expressing disappointment at the Shubman Gill-led side's inability to chase down 193 in the third Test at Lord's on Monday. India surrendered the series lead to the Ben Stokes-led English team once again after suffering a 22-run defeat at the 'Home of Cricket'.
What's more, a majority of senior batters including captain Shubman Gill failed to deliver under pressure and was it was left to all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and the rest of the lower-order to get India within touching distance of the target.
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Ganguly, one of India's greatest captains as well as batters, felt India should have got over the line at the iconic venue, especially with the 'quality of batsmanship' that they possess in their ranks.
'A little bit disappointed with the way India batted in this series, they should have got this 190,' remarked Ganguly at the Indian Racing League & F4 India Championship event here on Tuesday.
'When you see Jadeja fight and score the runs, and the batting quality in this team, they will be more disappointed than I am because it was an opportunity to get 2-1 up in the series against England.
'I am sure that they will be disappointed not getting to 190 especially with the quality of batsmanship they have in that dressing room,' 'Dada' added.
What Gavaskar and Kumble had said on Jadeja and India's chase
Ganguly was by no means the only former Indian cricketer reacting to the Lord's result with disappointment. Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar had earlier stated that Jadeja could have taken a few more chances against off-spinners Shoaib Bashir and Joe Root while batting cautiously against the red-hot quicks.
'You could say that Jadeja could have taken the odd chance and not necessarily the aerial route when Joe Root and Shoaib Bashir was bowling. But full marks to him (Jadeja),' former India opener and captain Gavaskar said on Sony Sports.
'I thought when Bashir came to bowl, Jadeja could have taken a chance. The second time was when Bumrah was batting with him, because Stokes was fielding inside the circle at mid-off. So he could have scored a boundary there, especially when Joe Root was bowling. Later when Siraj came to bat, Stokes stationed himself near the boundary rope,' he added.
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Also Read | 'Captain wasn't the same...': Ex-India players point out mistakes that cost Lord's Test
Spin legend Anil Kumble, Ganguly's former teammate, echoed Gavaskar's opinion, adding that a set Jadeja – collected a total of four boundaries and a six during his unbeaten 61 off 181 deliveries – could have also attacked seam-bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes.
'The two bowlers he could have potentially taken on were Chris Woakes, who is slightly slower in the air, and then Bashir and Joe Root. I know they're off-spinners taking the ball away, but it wasn't turning square. So there wasn't a lot to worry about in terms of spin or the outside edge. Jadeja has played on tougher pitches and against better bowling. I thought he could have taken a chance,' Kumble, also an ex-India captain, said.
India travel to Manchester, where the fourth Test against England gets underway at Old Trafford on 23 July before returning to London for the fifth Test at The Oval starting 31 July. They find themselves facing a must-win situation in Manchester if they are to keep their hopes of a first Test series victory in England in 18 years alive.
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