Five factors that led to India's humiliating defeat against England

New Delhi: England ended a winless run of ten Tests, which began in August last year, in style on the fifth morning in Southampton, completing a performance so clinical that they did not allow India even a dominant hour in four days and one session.After Lord's historic win, India were on high on their confidence for third test but what actually happened was just the mirage form of second test. Team India was badly humiliated by both English batsmen and bowlers which resulted in the big 266 runs defeat. The Lords of India at Lord's cricket ground were like underdogs here. Apart from Ajinkya Rahane, none of the batsmen and bowler could perform a match winning innings. India needed a miracle on Day 5, with 333 runs more to win and 6 wickets remaining, but miracles should not be expected to be showered upon you with a swish of a wand; they have to be earned.Laced with a negative attitude and an irresolute performance from almost all players, a miracle was just cannot be expected. India TV analyses five key factors in Team India's defeat:1) Ineffective openersThe pair of Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan has been the first choice of skipper Dhoni to open the innings for India from first test. Dhawan has failed to support his opening partner, Murali Vijay, who would have hoped for some aggression and counter-attack from the other end while he plays his natural, watchful innings. A naturally attacking player, Dhawan's instincts have been suppressed by the pace, bounce and movement generated by James Anderson and Co., so much so that he looks tentative even while playing spinners. Dhawan is almost certain to be dropped, with the experienced Gautam Gambhir waiting for his first chance to play in the series.2) Virat Kohli's formHe didn't perform in IPL and now he is not playing in his natural form in the current England tour. The lone star in South Africa and New Zealand tour was expected to lead India's batting in this series. However, England found and exploited his weakness outside off-stump and have done well to keep him quiet. Leaving deliveries does not come naturally to Kohli, who is a pure and prolific stroke-maker. He appeared to be trying his best to reverse his fortunes at Southampton but is just not able to curb that inclination. Kohli showed glimpses of his class at the Ageas Bowl during his innings of 39 and 28, with some glorious cover drives and straight drives, before his poking fetish got the better of him. However, with these two outings, he has just about prevented the "out of form" label being stuck across his forehead. He should be replaced but the question is who will replace him? India doesn't really have a replacement in their 18-man squad but also because he is the kind of batsman who possesses the quality and ability to turn around games single-handedly. Wriddhiman Saha can be the option to replace him, but will it be right to replace such a player with an inexperienced player?3) Casual approach of battingYes Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli are not performing, but what other batsmen are doing? Ajinkya Rahane contributed in India's victory at Lord's but in Southampton, even half centuries in both the innings could not save India from this defeat. India have been let down by their batsmen at Southampton, who either failed to convert hard-earned starts or threw their wickets away or both. The pitch where English batsmen played explosively, on the same pitch with same conditions Indian batsmen failed. They were even not able to save the follow on.In the first innings half of the team went down to James Anderson while in the second innings from 112/4 at one time, India were all out at 178. Six Indian batsmen allowed Moeen Ali to bowl well on his line and length. Poor and careless shots by Rahane and Rohit Sharma in the first innings and Murali Vijay's running between the wickets in second innings are some examples.4) Ineffective bowlingBowlers who dug out England batsmen from their root at Lord's in second test were not able to bowl them out completely in both the innings this time. Out of form Alastair Cook made 95, Gary Ballance comes up with his second consecutive test century, Ian Bell scored 167 and even debutant Jos Buttler scored a quickfire 85 runs of 83 deliveries helped England to post a daunting total of 569/7 in the first innings. It seems like Indian bowlers were tired and not in the mood to bowl. In the second innings of England's batting, Indian bowlers were further humiliated by English batsmen. After getting bowled out for 330; India was trailing England by 239 runs. England batsmen then played another blasting knock of 205/4 in just 40 overs to give India the target of 445 runs. Ishant Sharma was out of the match due to injury and was replaced by debutant Pankaj Singh. His bowling was effective with good bounce and pace but he was misfortunate he didn't get any wicket. Bhuvneshar Kumar was not in his form, Shami has been inconsistent and Ravindra Jadeja was searching for wicket on the same pitch where another spinner from England Moeen Ali rocked Indian batting line up. With match figures of 8 for 129, Moeen had shaken off the perception of him being a part-time spinner.India is certainly missing a professional spinner. Ravichandran Ashwin should be replaced by an extra fast bowler. After Ali's performance, it would be a calamity if Ravichandran Ashwin does not play in Manchester for fourth test.5) Sloppy fieldingCatches win matches; this saying in cricket seems not to be suited to Indian fielders. Alastair Cook who edged the ball straight away in the first innings when he was at the score of 15 was dropped by Jadeja at the slips. It was an easy catch but just not enough for him to grab him. He survived again when he was dropped again by Dhawan at first slip. Cook then moved forward and added 80 more runs to reach 95. Gary Ballance who hit his career best 156 runs was also dropped at slips on couple of occasions. Apart from this, misfielding and poor throw to the wickets also cost India the match.

Five factors that led to India's humiliating defeat against England

New Delhi: England ended a winless run of ten Tests, which began in August last year, in style on the fifth morning in Southampton, completing a performance so clinical that they did not allow India

Read all the Breaking News Live on indiatvnews.com and Get Latest English News & Updates from Sports and Cricket Section