Has the failure of Indian batsmen camouflaged the failure of the bowlers to wrap up the Tail?

5. The comparative contribution of the Indian tail

Ashwin hasn't contributed with the bat in the series

Leave alone the tail, even the Indian lower-order batsmen have failed to contribute in any manner. Batsmen like Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, and Ashwin were all restless at the crease. They were all going for their shots and were itching to come back to the pavilion. Compared to their efforts, Ishant Sharma and Bumrah showed some resistance.

Even when Kohli and Pujara batted through the innings in the first and fourth Tests respectively, the lower-order batsmen failed to give them the needed support to forge any meaningful partnerships. The Indians were missing the services of Bhuvneshwar Kumar in this respect.

On the fourth day of the fourth Test, the last wicket stand of Rashid and Anderson managed to survive 6 taxing overs during the extended playing hours to take the game into the fifth day.

That was the kind of spirit that was missing in the Indian lower-order batsmen. The Indians were more than willing to surrender their wickets at the first available opportunity.