5 poor decisions that cost India the series against England

#4 Inefficient channelization of resources and omission of Ravindra Jadeja in Southampton

Jadeja was unfortunate to miss out on the 4th Test

Ravichandran Ashwin was reportedly suffering from a groin injury ahead of the 4th Test match at the Ageas Oval, a venue traditionally known for assisting spinners. Ashwin, being India's main spinner, was crucial to the team's chances in the tie, with the series being at stake. World No 3 bowler Ravindra Jadeja did not take field in the first three matches. Jadeja, widely acclaimed for his accuracy, and with Ashwin not 100% fit, should have been given a chance on the spin-friendly track ahead of Hardik Pandya.

Even with the playing XI that captain Kohli chose, India had their chances in the game but failed to hold on to them. England had been reeling at 86-6 in their first innings, with the top six batsmen inside the pavilion. However, it was once again the tail that pinched India, as the visitors lost the chance to bowl the hosts out of the game. Hardik Pandya leaked runs at an economy of 6.37, as Sam Curran once again brought back the ghosts of the first Test.

In the second innings, captain Kohli did not give Mohammad Shami a go till the 31st over, constantly bowling Ashwin from one end. Shami responded brilliantly on getting the cherry, sending Jennings and Bairstow back on successive deliveries. Kohli kept bowling Ashwin from one end, despite the latter not delivering the goods, which affected the momentum of other bowlers as well, helping England to race away with a lead of 244 runs.

It was Moeen Ali who rose on to the occasion for England, along with pacers James Anderson and Ben Stokes, to take an unassailable lead in the series.