News Sports Cricket Five factors that led to India's humiliating defeat against England

Five factors that led to India's humiliating defeat against England

New Delhi: England ended a winless run of ten Tests, which began in August last year, in style on the fifth morning in Southampton, completing a performance so clinical that they did not allow India



1) Ineffective openers

The pair of Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan has been the first choice of skipper Dhoni to open the innings for India from first test. Dhawan has failed to support his opening partner, Murali Vijay, who would have hoped for some aggression and counter-attack from the other end while he plays his natural, watchful innings. A naturally attacking player, Dhawan's instincts have been suppressed by the pace, bounce and movement generated by James Anderson and Co., so much so that he looks tentative even while playing spinners. Dhawan is almost certain to be dropped, with the experienced Gautam Gambhir waiting for his first chance to play in the series.