NEW DELHI: With India trailing 1-2 in the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane has issued a stirring call to the team management ahead of the crucial fourth Test in Manchester: “You’re going to win a Test match or a Test series by getting 20 wickets.”Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Rahane’s comments come after India’s narrow 22-run loss at Lord’s, despite packing their XI with all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy – all of whom made useful contributions. The strategy, rooted in head coach Gautam Gambhir’s preference for batting depth, has yielded mixed results in the longer format.
Poll
Should India consider adding an extra bowler for the upcoming Test match?
“We all know that Day 4 and 5 get slightly difficult to bat on. It’s not easy to score runs,” Rahane explained on his YouTube channel. “Yes, England bowled really well. But I felt India missed an opportunity to get that big score on the board in the first innings. Also, going forward, India should look to add one extra bowler – because you’re going to win a Test match or a Test series by getting 20 wickets.”
India’s selection dilemma is now sharper than ever. With the batting-heavy strategy not delivering wins, Rahane’s call to bolster the bowling attack presents a critical decision point for captain Shubman Gill and Gambhir.Rahane also praised Ben Stokes for a pivotal fielding moment that turned the tide at Lord’s. “It’s very easy for the fielder to get relaxed when you see only two or three balls left before lunch. But his attitude towards the ball, his intensity, and getting that run-out – that’s where I felt England came into the game.”At the time, India were 40 for 1 and cruising, but the run-out followed by Karun Nair’s LBW dismissal shifted momentum. “That was a turning point,” Rahane noted. “England’s bowling tightened up, their fielding intensity increased, and they showed great character.”
Despite a strong fightback from India later, Rahane admitted they were “75–100 runs short” in the first innings. He singled out KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant’s partnership as a highlight, but emphasised that without taking 20 wickets, victories will remain elusive.
