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Key Points

Michael Atherton slammed England's defensive tactics against Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, who dominated with a 195-run partnership. Stokes' decision to remove slips backfired as Pant capitalized on loose deliveries. Ravi Shastri praised Pant's aggressive approach but questioned India's declaration timing. England's inexperienced bowling attack struggled as India took control of the Test.

Key Points: Atherton Slams Stokes for Defensive Tactics Against Pant Rahul in Headingley Test

  • Atherton questions Stokes' defensive field placements at Headingley
  • Rahul and Pant's 195-run stand shifts momentum to India
  • Shastri praises Pant's aggressive knock but questions timing of declaration
  • England's inexperienced bowling attack struggles to contain India
2 min read

Atherton launches scathing tirade on England for unusual tactics against Pant, Rahul

Michael Atherton criticizes England's unusual field placements as Pant and Rahul dominate with a 195-run stand in the India vs England Test.

Atherton launches scathing tirade on England for unusual tactics against Pant, Rahul
"England's tactics were unusual... India pressed the accelerator after that and put the hammer down. – Michael Atherton"

Leeds, June 23

Former cricketer Michael Atherton didn't mince his words as he lampooned Ben Stokes-led England's tactical ploy for India's KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant on day four of the opening Test at Headingley.

Rahul and vice-captain Pant shifted the game's dynamics in India's favour by stitching up a 195-run stand, which pushed England back against the wall. With a blend of flamboyance and calmness, Rahul and Pant enthralled the spectators while adding to England's tantalised, inexperienced bowling attack's woes.

Rahul and Pant finished with 137(347) and 118(140), respectively, putting India in a position to control the play. Throughout their stay in the second innings, Stokes tried to limit the damage and switched to a defensive ploy. He took off slips at a venue where several wickets tumbled behind the stumps and allowed India to press the accelerator button.

"England's tactics were unusual at the start of the second session as Stokes went quite defensive, and there were no slips in place. The vast majority of wickets at Headingley come in the slips, and there weren't any when Pant edged two. India pressed the accelerator after that and put the hammer down," Atherton said on Sky Sports.

Former head coach and cricketer Ravi Shastri was all in praise of the "masterpiece" produced by Rahul and Pant. However, Shastri was quick to point out that the way Pant charged at the bowlers gave India a "headache" when identifying the ideal moment to declare.

"Pant has taken the game forward. He has given India a headache in terms of when should the declare and how many runs to they get. There is plenty of food for thought, but India will be very happy after a technical masterpiece from Rahul and the flamboyance and exuberance that you can't imagine from Pant," Shastri said.

The rollicking partnership concluded, and England's frontline spinner Shoaib Bashir pulled the curtains down on Pant's knock by luring him to hole the ball straight to Zak Crawley and punched his return ticket on 118(140).

Rahul soon joined Pant's company in the dressing room after trying to cut the ball but got outplayed by the extra bounce. He got cramped up and gave away an inside edge, which diverted the ball onto his stumps.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit S.
What a partnership by Rahul and Pant! 🇮🇳 England's defensive tactics backfired spectacularly. Pant's fearless batting is exactly what we need in Test cricket - reminds me of Sehwag's era. Hope they continue this form in the next matches!
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Priya M.
While I enjoyed Pant's batting, I wish he'd be slightly more careful with his shot selection. That dismissal was unnecessary when we could have pushed for more runs. England's inexperienced bowling was a gift we should've capitalized on better.
A
Amit K.
KL Rahul proving why he's called Mr. Dependable! His patience combined with Pant's aggression was poetry in motion. England's field placements were baffling - no slips at Headingley? That's like serving biryani without raita! 😂
S
Sanjay P.
Atherton is right to criticize England's tactics, but let's not forget our bowlers need to step up too. This partnership saved us, but we can't always rely on our batsmen to bail us out. Need more consistency from both departments.
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Neha R.
Pant's innings was pure entertainment! � That's why we love Test cricket - when players like him make it exciting. Though I agree with Shastri that his approach makes declaration timing tricky. Hope Dravid handles this well in coming days.
V
Vikram J.
England underestimated our middle order. Rahul's technical brilliance combined with Pant's X-factor is a deadly combo. This partnership should silence critics who said our batting relies too much on Kohli. Future looks bright!

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