ENG vs IND 2025: India’s Tail (Nos. 9–11) averaging just 11.51 in Tests since 2021—Time for the Tail to step up?
One of the major differences between India and England during the opening Headingley Test was their batting contribution from the tail (9-11). In the first innings, the visitors lost their last seven wickets for just 41 runs in 12.5 overs. It was evenly devastating in the second innings. The blue brigade could add only 79 runs for the last seven wickets.
In comparison, England were up to the mark in the first innings. They were 225/3 at one stage and added another 240 runs for the last seven wickets. When Ollie Pope got out early on the third morning, the tourists smelt a tiny lead, but Ben Stokes’ army ended with a deficit of 10 runs.
India’s tail (9-11) carries fourth-worst Test average since Jan 2021
Since the start of 2018, India’s struggle in the tail’s batting is not a surprising factor. At home, they average 13.78 in 30 innings, while in alien conditions, the average drops below nine.
In India against the spinners, the bowlers can look to smash the big shots. But in foreign conditions, they have not been able to achieve the feat. The blue brigade’s average of 8.95 is the lowest among all sides in this period.
Read More: How can India’s bowlers negate England’s Bazball challenge
Since Jan 2021, the two-time runners-up’s tail (9-11) has contributed only 1600 Test runs in 202 innings. Their average of 11.51 is the fourth worst among all the teams, as Australia sit at the top.
However, this hasn’t been the rare case of this side in the last four years. It’s a constant disease. From Jan 2017 to the end of 2020, India’s tail averaged 10.74, with the bat in 135 innings. That’s the seventh-best on the list of 12 teams. It’s a concern for any side in the longest format.
When it comes to Test batting in England since Jan 2014, India’s tail sits at the penultimate position. In 18 innings, they have managed just 810 runs at an average of 11.25, only better than West Indies’ 9.70. It doesn’t allow them to get an extra edge like the other dominating sides.
Read More: ENG vs IND, 2025: Changes desired in India’s XI for Edgbaston Test
India need to give more batting practice to their tail (9-11)
If the tailenders start to smash a few big shots or even stay at the crease for a long period, it annoys the fielding side. It becomes irritating for the two openers to stand in the middle and wait to start processing their batting. Tail can break a side mentally and grab the momentum on their end.
Ravindra Jadeja walked at seven in both innings at Leeds. At eight, they had Shardul Thakur or Nitish Reddy on few occasions. All these batters can play big innings, but they need support from the tail. In Headingley, the last three batters were casual with the shots they played.
Once they start to flop, it pushes the frontline batters to play a rash shot. Since Jan 2018, Jasprit Bumrah has batted for 70 innings between nine to 11 and has collected only 330 runs. His average is under seven with the best score of unbeaten 34 runs. Mohammad Siraj, in the same period, has collected 134 runs at an average of under-five.
That’s where the batting coach’s role comes into play. They need to give these batters proper practice in the nets. Once Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and others start to contribute with the bat, India will have a better chance in the red-ball format. Will they develop their batting during the second Edgbaston Test? Only time will tell.
Read More: Bumrah proving to be a one-man army for India in Tests; What’s ailing his support cast?
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