'That Shift Changed the Momentum' - Former India all-rounder criticizes ball change decision on day 2 of ENG vs IND 2025 3rd Test

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes India missed two key moments on Day 2 of the third Test against England at Lord’s, which could have changed the course of the match. Speaking on his YouTube channel @officialIrfanPathan, the 40-year-old highlighted KL Rahul’s dropped catch of Jamie Smith when the batter was on just five. Smith went on to score 51 and stitched together an 84-run partnership with Brydon Carse, who scored 56, helping England post a strong first-innings total of 387.

“I felt there were two moments where India missed the opportunity to seize and seal the game. The biggest moment was when KL Rahul dropped the catch of Jamie Smith. Smith was only on five runs at the time. He went on to score a half-century and, along with the other batter, Brydon Carse, built a solid partnership. That partnership was exceptional. It wouldn't have happened if that catch had been taken,” Pathan explained.

The former cricketer also criticized India’s decision to request a ball change after claiming three quick wickets early in the day. Pathan questioned the timing and necessity of the move, arguing that even if the ball was out of shape, it had still been effective and should not have been replaced. According to him, the decision disrupted India’s momentum and allowed England to recover.

'Why Are You Changing the Ball That’s Doing the Trick?'

“And after that, why was the ball changed? You had already taken three wickets early in the morning. There was no need to change the ball that was doing the trick. Even if the shape had gone off, it doesn’t matter. There was no need to change the game. I can tell you as a bowler: we only think of changing the ball when it stops doing anything. If the ball is moving, even if its shape has changed, and you’ve got wickets not one, not two, but three wickets then why are you changing the ball?” Pathan questioned.

He further added, “I think that shift changed the momentum significantly. And until the new ball was changed again because it was already 10 overs old, you realized that the replaced ball wasn’t that new; it was quite old. Then you started focusing on that again, your concentration went there, and Shubman Gill kept discussing it with the umpire. But the real question is, why did you go to change the game in the first place? So, I think those were the two important factors where the game turned.”

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Despite the setbacks, Jasprit Bumrah stood tall for India with a five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5/74. In reply to England’s 387, India reached 145/3 at stumps, with KL Rahul unbeaten on 53 and Rishabh Pant on 19. Pathan praised Rahul’s gritty knock, especially against the fiery spells from Jofra Archer. “KL Rahul will be crucial because he has the technique; he leaves the ball well and plays with patience. And today, once again, he showed that patience and played a very solid innings,” he said.

Rahul has been in fine form throughout the series. In his five innings so far, the opener has scored 289 runs at an average of 72.25, including two half-centuries and a century.