Ravi Shastri blames 'Timid and Defensive' approach for the Edgbaston loss, fans believe it to be a dig at Rahul Dravid

The Indian team faced a humiliating defeat against England in the fifth Test match at Edgbaston. The Ben Stokes-led team gained a seven-wicket victory while chasing a huge target of 378 runs. Team India led for the majority of the Test match, but they gave England an opportunity on Day four, and the hosts seized it with both hands. They hammered the Indian bowlers to record a remarkable victory.

Ravi Shastri, who had returned to the commentary box for the Edgbaston Test, gave his assessment. He said that the Indians' timid and defensive strategy lost them the game, particularly in the second innings. According to the former head coach, India had the potential to knock England out of the match.

"I think it was disappointing, to say the least, because they could have batted England out of this contest. They needed to bat for two sessions and I thought they were defensive, they were timid, especially after lunch. Even after they had lost those wickets, they could have taken some chances. Runs were important at that stage of the game and I thought they just went into a shell, lost those wickets too quickly, and gave enough time for England," said Shastri, who was part of the Sky Sports Cricket team at Edgbaston.

Fans wondered if he was making a subtle dig at current head coach Rahul Dravid. "Dravid doesn’t come across as someone who’d support/enable in-your-face aggression. He didn’t show that in his playing career and so far, the senior men’s team hasn’t shown that in 3 tests where they were defending. Had doubts when he was appointed, and they have only solidified," a fan wrote.

As for the series, India had a lead of 2-1 when Virat Kohli and Shastri were in power before covid hit the visitor's camp in 2021. Under new coach Rahul Dravid and a stand-in captain in Jasprit Bumrah, they had a chance to win the series. Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the match in Birmingham due to a coronavirus test. Bumrah was appointed as the captain in his absence. The series, however, ended at 2-2.

Here is how Twitter reacted

Also we need a good Bolwing and fielding coach,Let Dravid focus on Batting part only.

— Vicky Malhotra (@vik8182) July 6, 2022

Lack of intent & patience to stay in middle in 2nd inn cost India this match. All that was needed was not to play reckless shots, stay till end of day/close to end of day - a lead of around 500 would have been impossible to chase on 5th day no matter how fierce bazball attack is

— Srikanth K (@srikanth23_k) July 6, 2022

True. On point. India should've played atleast 1.5-2 sessions. England got more than enough time to chase big total.

— Anand Kumawat (@Anand_Gudha2016) July 6, 2022

I agree with Ravi . Our batsmen (except Virat) played horribly bad cricket esp in the second innings mainly bcos they thot that 350 is enough!

Let Stokes say anything if India had asked England to score 450+then India wudhv won.Replace Shardul, Siraj & Gill + DROP 4 EVER VIHARI

— prakash shenoy (@prakashkgshenoy) July 6, 2022

Indirectly Drawid's approach is defensive & timid !!

— Cutting Chai (@Cutting__Chai) July 6, 2022

Rahul Dravid is bringing his Defensive Timid approach to the Indian cricket

Enough of this old shit

We need new blood

— Em!N€nt $oC!@li$t (@NosaneEmi) July 6, 2022

Agreed, Shastri and Kohlihad brought aggression in the team,which is lacking in Dravid short tenure.

— Vicky Malhotra (@vik8182) July 6, 2022

Bodied Dravid in the last sentence

— Biishhh (@BobbyLalll) July 6, 2022

Dravid's Defensive mindset taking back India to 90's ..

After he came.. most players lost Form, Lost in SA, Too many Captains🙄, No clear Vision... This is not NCA to rebuild team everytime🤦🏻, Bazzball was shown by Shastri

— Designer.13 (@AnGryBoNG6) July 6, 2022

Dravid doesn’t come across as someone who’d support/enable in your face aggression. He didn’t show that in his playing career and so far, the senior men’s team hasn’t shown that in 3 tests where they were defending. Had doubts when he was appointed, and they have only solidified

— ThreatLevelMidnight (@MichaelScornn) July 6, 2022