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'You're going to win by...': Rahane demands major change for India after Lord's Test defeat, picks turning point
Ajinkya Rahane has asked Team India to make a major change to their playing XI for the Manchester Test vs England. Images: Ajinkya Rahane on X/Reuters
Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has crucial advice for head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill as they look to script a comeback in the ongoing Test series against England. The Indian cricket team is currently 2-1 behind in the five-match Test series against England after heartbreakingly losing the Lord's Test.
India needed just 193 to win the third Test but were bowled out on 170 after most of the batters failed to show up in the chase despite Ravindra Jadeja putting up an impressive fight along with tailenders Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.
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India had packed their playing XI with all-rounders in the hope of extending their batting line-up as they included Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy alongside Jadeja, but the strategy did not come to their rescue. And now Rahane feels that the time has come for India to bet on an extra specialist bowler to turn around their fortunes in the Test series.
Rahane wants Team India to make one big change
Team India head coach Gambhir is known for his affinity towards utility players, but Rahane has suggested that adding one extra bowler would ease things for the team, as they need to take 20 wickets to win matches.
'We all know that Day 4 and 5 get slightly difficult to bat on. It's not easy to score runs. Yes, England bowled really well. But I felt India missed an opportunity to get that big score on the board in the first innings. And also, I feel going forward, India should look to add one extra bowler, because you're going to win a Test match or a Test series by getting 20 wickets,' Rahane said on his YouTube channel.
It has also been noted that there have been rumours around Nitish Reddy getting a drop for the fourth Test that will be played in Manchester from 23 July. In his absence, India could look to bring in left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
Rahane picks Pant run-out as game-changing moment
Rahane also highlighted Ben Stokes's direct hit to run out Rishabh Pant in India's first innings as the moment that sparked England's win over India from a losing position at Lord's.
RUN OUT! 🙌
Ben Stokes aims and fires at the stumps and Rishabh Pant is out! ❌ pic.twitter.com/Z9JWwV9aS4 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 12, 2025
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'It's very easy for the fielder to get relaxed,' Rahane said. 'When you see only two or three balls left before lunch, you can easily get relaxed. But his attitude towards the ball, his intensity, and getting that run-out, that's where I felt England came into the game.'
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