New Delhi: Team India head coach Rahul Dravid admitted that the visitors failed to capatalise on opportunities and maintain intensity in bowling following India's seven wicket loss against England in the final and fifth test at Edgbaston on Tuesday. Dravid also admitted that the team did not bat well in second innings.
England's star batter Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow scored their respective tons to help England chase their highest successful total in Test cricket history and against India. The hosts chased down the 378 run target after getting all out for just 284 in their first innings. With this win, England ended the five-match Test series 2-2, denying India their maiden win in Test cricket since 2007.
"I would definitely say that we controlled the game for three days. But we could not bat well yesterday and could not maintain that same intensity in bowling as well. Credit to them (England), they played well. The partnership was really good (between Root and Bairstow). We got one or two chances but we could not capitalise on it," said Dravid during a press conference following the match, ANI reported.
Dravid admitted that India needs to work on batting better in the third innings and taking all wickets in the fourth innings of the game.
"It has been disappointing that we had a couple of opportunities here and in South Africa as well. It could be a variety of factors. Maybe we just need to maintain that intensity, performance and fitness throughout a Test match. We have been good over the last few years in taking those wickets and winning games, but have not been able to do so in the last few months," he added.
Dravid lauded wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's batting and said that everyone needs to accept the way he plays.
"Even though he increases everyone's heart rate with his shots sometimes, we have got used to it. In Cape Town, his century was brilliant. He has been batting well in Tests. His way of playing can turn a Test around, he did it in South Africa and he did it here too. He does not play wildly but rather watches the ball and attacks when he gets a right bowler to attack," he added.
(With ANI Inputs)