Aakash Chopra Slams India’s Middle-Order After Batting Collapse in Leeds Test: “Like Jenga Blocks”

India’s first Test against England at Headingley has delivered gripping cricket, big centuries, and unfortunately, a familiar flaw — a dramatic batting collapse. Former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra didn’t hold back while analyzing India’s fragile middle-order performance in the second innings, despite standout centuries from KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.

After reaching a strong position, India suffered a sensational collapse — losing six wickets for just 31 runs — to finish their second innings at 364. What could have been a match-sealing lead turned into another warning sign for India’s Test setup. And Chopra, known for his blunt and detailed critiques, had plenty to say.

“It Fell Like Jenga Blocks”: Chopra’s Brutal Analogy

In a YouTube video posted soon after the innings ended, Chopra compared India’s batting meltdown to a game of Jenga, where the structure collapses one piece at a time — quickly and uncontrollably.

“Once one wicket fell, the rest followed like Jenga blocks — collapsing one after the other,” he said.

The former opener noted that this isn’t an isolated incident. He pointed out how India’s middle-order continues to underperform, especially in challenging overseas conditions, despite having experienced names in the lineup.

Chopra also expressed concern that India wasted the platform laid by Rahul and Pant, both of whom looked in complete control. “When two of your top batters have already scored centuries, you should easily reach 450. But we threw away that opportunity — again.”

The Collapse: What Went Wrong?

India started the day in a commanding position. With Rishabh Pant batting on 80+ and KL Rahul anchoring from the other end, it seemed likely that India would push the lead well beyond 400 — an almost unchaseable total.

But once Pant reached his second century of the match and Rahul followed with his own, the team quickly unraveled:

• Rahul fell on 137, edging to slip off a tired-looking shot
• Pant followed on 118, mistiming a lofted drive
• Then came a procession — Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Ashwin, and Bumrah all departed in quick succession
• The last six wickets fell in the space of just 31 runs

This collapse meant that instead of posting a mammoth target, India gave England a sniff of hope with a target of 371, not as far-fetched as it might have been if the middle-order had stayed firm.

Chopra Points Fingers at Shubman Gill and the Middle Order

One of the key players under the scanner is Shubman Gill, who had taken over captaincy responsibilities in this series. His inconsistent form and inability to step up during crucial phases have drawn criticism from experts, and Chopra didn’t hold back.

“Gill is the captain, but he needs to take more responsibility with the bat,” Chopra said. “You can’t just rely on top-order or lower-order cameos every time. The engine room — the middle — must fire.”

Chopra also highlighted how India’s middle-order lacks stability and intent. “There’s too much talent, but not enough grit in pressure situations,” he added. “You can’t win Tests by just one or two players scoring. Everyone has to contribute.”

A Pattern Emerging in Indian Test Cricket?

This collapse wasn’t a one-off. Over the past few years, India has repeatedly lost clusters of wickets after getting into strong positions — a trend that has cost them key Tests, especially overseas.

Examples include:

• Cape Town 2022: A solid opening turned into a middle-order failure, costing the series against South Africa
• WTC Final 2023: Similar pattern — good start, followed by sudden collapses
• Now in Leeds 2025: Centurions at the crease, and yet six wickets fell for 31 runs

Chopra emphasized that this ongoing problem could derail India’s long-term plans, especially with the World Test Championship table getting more competitive.

“Match Awareness Missing”: Chopra on Team Strategy

Chopra believes this isn’t just a technical issue — it’s also about game sense and match awareness. “The match situation demanded calm, defensive play. But we saw high-risk shots, loose strokes, and no plan B once the ball started swinging.”

He also mentioned the lack of resistance from all-rounders and tailenders. “When the middle collapses, the lower order should fight. But even there, we saw no application.”

Fans and Experts Echo Chopra’s Frustration

Following the collapse, fans took to social media to express disappointment. Many echoed Chopra’s sentiment that India wastes too many promising starts.

One fan tweeted:
“Two centurions and still under 370. India needs to rethink its middle-order gameplan.”

Another wrote:
“Same script, different venue. Collapse after a good start. Unacceptable.”

Even former cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar and VVS Laxman pointed out on commentary how India fails to convert dominance into match-winning positions — a worrying habit.

What India Must Fix Before the Next Test

India’s coaching staff now faces a tough task: how do they fix a middle-order that looks strong on paper but fragile under pressure?

Here are some areas that need urgent attention:

• Re-evaluate the batting order: Is Gill better at No. 3 or as an opener? Should Axar Patel or Hanuma Vihari be recalled for more stability?
• Mental conditioning: Improve mindset during pressure phases; avoid panic after losing one wicket
• Technical tune-ups: Especially against seam and swing in overcast conditions
• Leadership clarity: With Rohit Sharma rested, does Gill have the right support to lead and score runs?

Final Thoughts: Time to Back Words with Action

India’s loss of six wickets for 31 runs isn’t just about one session of bad cricket — it reflects a deeper problem of execution and intent. Aakash Chopra’s criticism, while sharp, rings true: batting collapses cannot become the new normal if India wants to dominate red-ball cricket.

With the series still open and more Tests to come, the Indian team has a golden opportunity to bounce back. But that will require more than fiery centuries from Rahul and Pant. It will need collective grit, smarter decision-making, and above all, accountability in the middle order.

Join Sports Samachaar for all things cricket and never miss a moment of the action!