Was Ganguly Disappointed with India’s Batting Collapse at Lord’s?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Sourav Ganguly expresses disappointment over India's performance.
- Ravindra Jadeja shines with key contributions in both innings.
- India needs to improve their batting to level the series.
- Upcoming match in Manchester is crucial for India's chances.
- Ganguly praises Jadeja's consistency and importance to the team.
Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly expressed his dissatisfaction following India's narrow defeat to England in the third Test at Lord's, where the team fell short by a mere 22 runs in a nail-biting conclusion. This loss handed England a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, as India struggled to meet a modest target of 193 runs on the final day.
At the Indian Racing League & F4 India Championship event on Tuesday, Ganguly remarked on the performance of India's batting lineup, which had shown promise earlier in the series. He stated, “I am a bit disappointed with the way India batted in this series; they should have chased down this target of 190.” He further emphasized the commendable effort from Ravindra Jadeja who fought valiantly, scoring runs when others faltered, stating that the batting unit must feel more disappointed than he does, especially considering it was a golden opportunity to take a 2-1 lead against England.
India managed to score only 170 runs in 74.5 overs, despite Jadeja's commendable performance, where he emerged as the top scorer with 61 runs in the second innings. Previously, he had contributed 72 runs in the first innings, showcasing his excellent form throughout the series.
Ganguly praised Jadeja's dedication and consistency, saying, “Jadeja has been remarkable; he will continue to represent India as long as he maintains this level of performance.” With over 80 Test matches and more than 200 one-day internationals under his belt, Ganguly noted, “You can witness his prowess in batting, bowling, and fielding. He is a vital asset to this team and his batting has improved significantly with experience.”
Looking ahead, India will travel to Manchester for the fourth Test at Old Trafford, commencing on July 23. They aim to bounce back and level the series. With two Tests remaining, the visitors still have an opportunity to make a comeback—however, as Ganguly pointed out, the top order needs to perform under pressure.