Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes the Indian bowlers were not up to the mark in the ODI series against England. Barring Bumrah, who conceded his runs at an economy rate of four in the first two games, all the Indian bowlers were taken to the cleaners.

Pathan highlighted that England’s veteran batter Joe Root remained unbeaten throughout the series and none of the Indian bowlers could get him out. Root scored 74 runs off 48 balls in the third ODI against India with the help of nine fours.

Root top-scored in the series with 249 runs in three games at a strike rate of 96.89. England’s experienced batter scored an unbeaten knock of 99 runs in the second ODI and was awarded Player of the Series.

“The good factor was Rohit getting runs when he was under pressure. Virat also scored well. It was a good fight. But we could not dismiss Joe Root in the whole series. There was not one bowler who could get him out. If you had a wrist-spinner in between, it could have been different. But if you have four frontline pacers, you must have the ability and planning to get Root out,” Irfan Pathan said in a video on his YouTube channel.

Pathan highlighted that Indian bowlers were not on the money with the new ball and the England openers were able to capitalise.

“We did not bowl good lengths with the new ball, and their openers took advantage. When we did not get wickets with the new ball, there was no one who could pull things back in the middle overs either. Prince was under pressure. The control in line and length was not there. I was most disappointed with the plans during the death overs. The stage was set for Buttler, and he completely took the game away. We know that he does not open his hands entirely; we know his reach outside the off-stump is not there. But we did not bowl wide yorkers at all. This was simple planning that was needed,” Irfan Pathan expressed.

Indian bowlers would look to bounce back strongly.