4 reasons why India deserved the defeat in Edgbaston

The exciting Test match which happened in Edgbaston has set the tone for the rest of the series. Being England's 1000th Test match, they became the 1st international team to cross the magical 4-figure mark. But, no one would have thought that it would be one to be remembered for the ages.

When Joe Root won the toss and decided to bat first on a bright sunny day, the Indian fans would have thought that the England team will look upon to post a mammoth total on the board. It indeed looked as if they were on target until the post-tea season of Day 1, where a twist in the tale began.

Joe Root's run out in the first innings changed the script of the match

Since the final session of Day 1, the match swung like a pendulum in either team's favour, session by session. From 216-3, the England team collapsed to a total of 287, which many considered an under-par score on this pitch.

Although, the famous Indian top order failed (barring Virat Kohli) in 1st innings and made the match interesting with England eyeing on a healthy lead of 100+ runs. But a well determined Virat, who struggled in England erstwhile, stood in their way and notched up a scintillating ton (his 1st in England) by rising above the demons.

He shepherded the tail-enders to frustrate England and reduced the lead to a paltry (13) one. With the momentum by their side, India was on the verge of an astounding victory when they reduced England to 87-7 in the 2nd innings, courtesy to Ishant's inspiring spell.

Sam Curran 65-ball 63 inspired England team to a well-deserved victory

Time again, when India were on top, the 20-year old scrawny allrounder (Sam Curran- only his 2nd match) swung it in England's favour, this time with the bat scoring nearly a run-a-ball 63. In the first innings, in the span of 9 balls, Curran took 3 wickets to turn the momentum towards England.

Facing a target of 194, the burden was again on Virat as other top order batsman failed to step-up against the rejuvenated English attack. Even he perished under pressure, getting out LBW to Stokes, who scripted England's victory on Day 4 with a fierce spell of seam bowling.

The Indian team didn't deserve to win since it was Virat Kohli vs England throughout the match in the batting department. Though he single-handedly brought them back in the game, the other batsmen let the team down in crucial moments.

So, let's have a look at those 4 prime reasons why India deserved the defeat in Edgbaston:

#4: Erratic changes in Playing XI

Dropping Pujara from the playing XI was a judgmental error made by Indian management

One of the key reasons behind India's defeat is their ignorance in selecting the ideal playing XI. When India dropped Ajinkya Rahane for Rohit Sharma, they suffered two humiliating losses in the hands of South Africa. After that, they included their vice-captain for the 3rd match who came up with a match-winning knock on a deadly wicket in Johannesburg.

The team management never learned from the mistake made in South Africa, considering the player's white-ball cricket form over their temperament and skills. This led them to continue with Shikhar Dhawan and drop Cheteshwar Pujara, who is ideally suitable for English conditions.

Pujara has the temperament to see through the new ball and make life easier for the middle order batsmen. Dhawan has the tendency to throw away his wicket at crucial moments, which happened in both the innings of 1st Test.

#3: Over-reliant on Virat Kohli

Over-reliance on Virat can restrict India's chances in the series

The buzz around Virat Kohli was whether he would prove his class under seam and lateral movement in England considering his poor run in the previous tour with 134 runs in 10 innings. Helped a bit by fortune, Virat's grit and determination was strong enough to withstand Anderson's probing spell.

If not for Virat, India would have lost the match by giving up a lead of higher margin to England. Indian batting line-up is becoming too reliant on Virat, which is proving to be a costly concern. Though the pattern started during the home season itself, their victories overshadowed the flaws in the batting line-up.

Constant chopping and changing of core group has hampered the confidence of players like Rahane, Rahul and Pujara, which will become a serious issue if not addressed soon.

#2: Slip catches- still a worry

Shikhar Dhawan dropped Sam Curran in the 2nd innings which costed India's chance

Slip catching has been a major concern for the Indian team since the retirement of previous core test players (Sachin, Dravid, Ganguly, Laxman and Sehwag). Though the current players are agile and energetic in the outfield, they lack patience and mindset to stand in the slip cordon.

Since the conditions in England are conducive for swing bowling, most of the catches are taken behind the wicket. Though the Indian team did well in the eventful over (3 wickets in one over) from Ishant Sharma, catching all the 3 in the slip cordon, they let the momentum shift from their side when Shikhar dropped Sam Curran's catch at first slip.

Pouncing on the reprieve, Curran played a match-winning knock to turnaround the match in England's favour.

#1: Unable to restrict the counter-attack

India lacks the knack of subduing a counter-attack from the opposition

Whenever the Indian team has been on top in an overseas test match, they lose the momentum, once the opposition starts to counter-attack. Virat Kohli and his men were on the verge of their bagging India's 1st victory at Edgbaston when they reduced England to 87-7 (lead by 100 runs) in the 2nd innings.

But Sam Curran's counter-attack with a 65-ball 63 stranded the Indian team to a heart-breaking loss. But this isn't the first instance where the Indian team let the opposition off the hook.

In the 1st Test of South Africa tour, India had a tremendous start in 1st innings by restricting South Africa to 12-3 until AB De Villiers unleashed a counter-attack, scoring 65 runs with 11 boundaries and inflicted damage to India's chances.

Another apt example would be Chandimal's 162* off 169 balls in the 2nd innings of Galle Test which changed India's result from an innings victory to a 63 run loss.