England vs India 2018: 6 reasons why India lost

After showing lots of promise, giving us the hope for 4 days, team India lost again. They handed England a series which they could have easily lead 3-1 now. The 4th Test was exciting and could have gone either way, but due to some errors, we lost the match.

The main positive out of this Test or we can say out of this series is the fast bowlers. They have been fast, confident and on the mark. They were better than the English fast bowlers. But let's look at some of the main reasons why India lost this test match. Here are the 6 reasons for India's failure from a fan's eye.

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England's tail was a pain

When England won the toss and elected to bat, Indian fast bowlers got them reeling on 86/6. But England's tail hung around, especially Sam Curran, and scored 246. This was the turning point. Had India got them out within 150, then the story would have been different. England's tail showed guts and determination. Curran made a brilliant 78 and once again was the Achilles heel for the Indian bowlers.

Opener's failure

England v India: Specsavers 4th Test - Day Four

Opening in England is always a difficult task to do. In a series where even England's opener struggled to give them a good start, what to expect from our openers! But still India are the no.1 side in the world and so our openers should be good enough for any sort of conditions. They never made the life easy for the likes of Pujara, Kohli and Rahane, not in this match, not in this series till now.

Lower order failure

England v India: Specsavers 4th Test - Day Four

Likes of Pant, Pandya and Ashwin are expected to contribute in the Indian teams total. But sadly the contribution has been minimal or we can say not worth mentioning. Pant has got guts, but guts don't bring runs. Pandya averages 36.80 in Tests, scored a century and 3 fifties till now but none of it showed up in England.

Ashwin has got 4 Test hundreds but he was dreadful with the bat in this match. Remember the reverse sweep! Ishant Sharma looked good with the bat than him.

Moeen Ali ricked India (again)

England v India: Specsavers 4th Test - Day Four

Just like in 2014, Indian batsmen found it hard to play Moeen Ali. Somehow I don't get this. As Indian batsmen are used to much more turning tracks then Southampton. In fact, our batsmen are much used to spin than any other country's batsmen. But still, they tour England and hand Moeen Ali a 5-fer.

Ashwin couldn't get going

England v India: Specsavers 4th Test - Day One

After Pujara showed a fight and scored a brilliant 132 helping India take a lead of 27 runs, all eyes were on Ravichandran Ashwin. On a track where Moeen Ali took a 5-fer on day 2, one of the best off-spinner in the world, the stage was set for him to bamboozle the English batting line. But, alas, his stats were- 37.1 overs 7 maiden 84 runs and only 1 wicket.

4th innings struggle

England v India: Specsavers 4th Test - Day Four

Indian bowlers came back well and on day 4 and bundled England out for 272, which meant India needed to get 245 to win and level the series 2-2. India were struggling on 22 for 3 but then came the Kohli-Rahane partnership which made everyone feel positive about the chase.

The 101 run partnership was broken by none other than Moeen Ali. Kohli got out for 58. Which was disappointing considering the fact that he was well set. But just like at Edgbaston he got out at the crucial time. Then the struggling lower order was ripped apart by English bowlers and India got all out for 184.

A defeat by 60 runs meant India lost the series. It may have been a closely-fought battle but what matters at the end is the result. Chasing 245, only two batsmen got going. Heavy dependency on Virat Kohli has become a bad habit of this team India. Not good for Virat, not good for the team. India have shown improvement and promises but time has come to start winning series outside sub-continent.