India cannot have four rabbits from eight to 11: Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan

Mohammed Shami's unbeaten half century at Lord's gave India a false sense of security about their tail and they cannot have four rabbits from 8-11, said former England captain Michael Vaughan after the visitors suffered an innings defeat in the third Test.

India were bundled out for 78 and 278 in their two innings to go down by an innings and 76 runs in the third Test at Leeds, allowing England to level the five-match series 1-1.

Vaughan feels off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's inclusion in the playing XI can solve the problem.

‘False sense of security'

"Surely they have to pick Ravi Ashwin next week. You cannot have four rabbits from eight to 11. The resistance at Lord's lulled them into a false sense of security about their tail. In reality, they cannot have Mohammed Shami coming in at eight," Vaughan wrote in a Facebook post.

Shami had smashed an incredible 56 not out off 70 balls in the second Test to take India to 298 for 8 declared, setting a target of 272, which the hosts failed to chase.

"Ashwin has to come in. They got away with it at Lord's, you can't have four rabbits at eight, nine, 10 and 11. Ashwin has to play, he has got five Test match hundreds, he has got 400 Test wickets, he has to come into this Test team," Vaughan told BBC's Test Match Special Podcast.

Experienced Indians

"In the Indian dressing room, there is a lot of experience. The last two games, two really good venues and two venues where you can say spin has played a part historically. I would be staggered if R Ashwin is not on the team sheet on Thursday morning."

Joe Root has been simply sensational, smashing a hundred in each of the last three Tests, to inspire England to a come-from-behind win at Headingley and also in the process become the country's most successful Test captain.

Root had surpassed Vaughan with 27 Test wins as captain. "Well done to Joe Root for becoming England's most successful Test captain of all time," Vaughan wrote.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliabilitsy and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

Also Read: Clayton Murzello: Braveheart Dharod's last goodbye