12 August,2011 08:47 AM IST | | Debashish Datta
Having lost all hope of an Indian fight back in the ongoing Test series against England, Ravi Shastri has asked batsmen to learn the 'art of batting in difficult conditions' from stalwart duo of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman.
Almost forty per cent of runs scored by India in the three Tests thus far have been off the blades of Dravid (284 runs from 5 innings) and Laxman (154 runs from 5 innings).
Dravid (right) and Laxman. PIC/AFP
"India cannot comeback in this series, it's too late now.u00a0 Only Rahul and Laxman have shown the ability to bat in these conditions. I am very disappointed with the rest of the batsmen," Shastri told MiD DAY yesterday as Alaistair Cook and Co sent India's bowlers on a leather hunt.
Shastri said he was shocked to see an experienced batting line-up unable to adapt to conditions despite landing in the UK almost a month ago.
Prior to the ongoing Edgbaston Test here, India's top seven batsmen (including skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni) had played a combined 657 Tests - more than any Test playing nation in the world. "Where is the experience?" asked Shastri.
"The recipe for success (here) as a batsman is very simple - a) don't chase the ball, b) keep the bat close to your body, and c) leave as many balls as possible.
If you can do these things, batting will become a lot easier, you can score big centuries here," fumed the commentator.u00a0
Shastri, a former India captain, reckoned the visitors lost the Test with a first-innings total of 224. "The wicket has flattened out considerably, 224 is just not enough on this pitch. India had done the hard job by seeing off the new ball bowlers on the first day, and yet collapsed like a pack of cards," said Shastri.
The 49-year old also criticised the bowlers for being ineffective on helpful conditions. "India's bowlers must learn from England; you see the difference in pitch maps, and the lengths that they have bowled" he said. "Only a miracle can save India now," concluded Shastri.
