IND vs ENG: Ex-India Star Questions Chasing Woes Under Gambhir After Lord’s Defeat
Murali Kartik says India’s failed chase at Lord’s under Gambhir highlights how tricky small targets can be; Pant’s shot questioned.
Former India spinner Murali Kartik weighed in on India’s narrow loss to England in the third Test at Lord’s, pointing to familiar troubles under new coach Gautam Gambhir.
India fell 22 runs short while chasing 193, collapsing from a strong overnight position of 58/4 on Day 5. Kartik called the defeat disappointing and said such small targets often prove more difficult than they appear.
“Small chases like these are always tricky. You never quite know when to speed up or slow down. Experience is key in these situations. This is the second time in Gautam Gambhir’s tenure that a seemingly easy chase has been missed. He’ll definitely be frustrated with himself and the team,” Kartik said on Cricbuzz.
He drew a comparison to India’s failed 147-run chase against New Zealand in Mumbai in 2024, saying the current team has shown a pattern of letting go of tight games when chasing low totals.
Kartik also called Rishabh Pant’s dismissal a major turning point. Battling a finger injury, Pant was dismissed by Jofra Archer for just 9 runs, attempting a one-handed stroke that disturbed India’s chase early on Day 5.
“Rishabh Pant is highly instinctive. I don’t believe he thinks things through before acting. The way he played that one-handed shot, considering his injury, made it hard for him to defend. Jofra Archer had the final say there. That was a crucial moment. Starting the day at 58/4 and aiming for a win, Pant’s wicket turned out to be pivotal,” Kartik added.
India now trail 2-1 in the five-match Test series, with two more matches to go.
