India’s humiliating position at Old Trafford against England has caught the attention of cricketing legends. As England piled on the runs with authority, former England captain Mike Atherton made a bold request on live television — urging Ravi Shastri to walk into the Indian dressing room and motivate the struggling side.
The emotional appeal came as Joe Root slammed a breathtaking 150-run knock, pushing England’s first-innings total beyond 460 and leaving India trailing by more than 100 runs. With India showing no signs of resistance, Atherton looked to Shastri — known for his electrifying man-management during his coaching days — to wake up the Indian camp.
“Go out there Ravi, your team needs a bit of motivation in the dressing room,” Atherton said with a smirk as Shastri entered the commentary box.
Shastri Admits Selection Blunders
Ravi Shastri didn’t dismiss Atherton’s comment lightly. He acknowledged India’s poor showing and went on to critique the team’s tactical mistakes, especially the team selection.
With Anshul Kamboj and Shardul Thakur picked as the third and fourth seamers, Shastri pointed out that the burden was unfairly placed on the shoulders of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
He suggested that a pacer like Prasidh Krishna could have provided a different edge, especially with short-pitched bowling from around the wicket — a tactic that might have unsettled the English batters.
Joe Root Rewrites History
The day belonged to Joe Root, who delivered a Test batting masterclass. His 38th Test century was not just another ton; it was a record-breaking effort that propelled him to second on the list of all-time Test run-scorers, overtaking Ricky Ponting. Only Sachin Tendulkar remains ahead of the elegant Englishman.
Root’s innings was built on patience, precision, and class. He steered the ball into gaps with ease, used soft hands, and manipulated the field to perfection. He brought up his 150 with a gentle flick off debutant Kamboj, symbolizing just how effortless he made batting look.
Brief Sparks for India… But Not Enough
England started Day 2 at 225 for 2, and continued to dominate. The Root-Pope partnership extended to 144 before Washington Sundar finally provided a breakthrough. Pope, who scored 71, was caught by KL Rahul at slip.
Sundar also dismissed Harry Brook soon after — stumped by Dhruv Jurel for just 3 — briefly igniting hopes of a comeback.
But Root, joined by Ben Stokes, snuffed out any resistance. Their partnership ensured the scoreboard kept ticking, and India’s bowlers failed to generate any real pressure.
Bumrah, Siraj Falter; Indian Intensity Lacking
India’s bowling effort lacked venom and bite. Bumrah seemed out of rhythm, offering freebies. Siraj and Kamboj struggled with consistency. A missed LBW review and a run-out chance added to the list of blunders.
Even the typically aggressive Indian fielding seemed sluggish — a worrying sign for a team that looked short on motivation and game awareness.
Final Thoughts
India finds itself in a tough spot at Old Trafford. With England cruising and Root rewriting record books, the Indian side needs more than just a team talk — they need fire, intent, and a plan.
Maybe Atherton is right — maybe a Shastri-style dressing room thunderbolt is exactly what this team needs.
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