Ind vs Eng 2nd test: England entered the day as favorite but India’s bowling unit turned it around. Not only with the bowl but with the bat as well. Shami’s 50* and Bumrah’s 34* kept England at bay. Siraj, Bumrah, and Ishant proved lethal with the ball as they wrapped England for just 120. England hot favorite to win at the end of day 4.
Ind vs Eng 2nd test, day 5: India did what England was doing till now.
Starting the day, Rishabh Pant ( 22 runs from 46 balls, 1(4) ) did not survive long as expected. Ollie Robinson’s outswing with the new ball took the outside edge for a caught behind. India 194-7 ( 85.3 overs ).
Shami joined Ishant in the middle. The message was clear from the batters, take as much run as possible before all out. Ishant Sharma ( 16 runs from 24 balls, 2(4) ) scored a couple of boundaries following that plan. But it was not enough as Ollie Robinson struck again with a slower kind of delivery for an LBW. India 209-8 ( 89.3 overs ).
89 runs stand for the 9th wicket.
Shami and Bumrah started building a partnership which was crucial for India’s chances to even equalize. Mohammad Shami with the experience took the charge against Moeen Ali. He thundered with some superb shots over mid-on and mid-wicket. On the other end, Bumrah had shown his batting in the 1st test. Doing what was needed, supporting Shami.
Shami brought up his 50 with a six-over mid-wicket from just 57 balls. It was becoming a frustrating session for England. The wicket was not falling and runs were leaking. Nothing was going right for them.
India declared the innings at 298-8 leading by 271 runs.
Session 1 stats: [ 27.3 overs ] [ 117 runs ] [ 2 wickets ] [ 4.2 run rate ].
Ind vs Eng 2nd test, day 5: Bumrah and Shami continues their dominance.
India was aggressive early on with the fielding setting. Bumrah and Shami had gained the momentum and extra confidence for the whole team. And it showed on the field.
On the 3rd ball of the innings, Rory Burns ( 0 of 4 balls ) was out caught at short extra-cover. Not a great ball to be honest, But Burns with his set up had been in trouble on that type of delivery on the hips. He tried to flick it but only managed to take the outside edge and a soft dismissal.
India just needed that to break away from England. Shami did the trick on the other end getting rid of Dom Sibley ( 0 of 4 balls ). A very good ball, just doing enough after pitching to feather a little knick to Rishabh Pant. Root and Haseeb Hameed never looked comfortable from the pressure that India created.
Ishant Sharma was brought for the change and got Hameed ( 9 runs from 45 balls ) LBW. What a bowl from Ishant, pitching just outside off coming back in towards Hameed. Similar story for Bairstow ( 2 runs from 24 balls ) as well. He was Ishant’s 2nd victim from the same delivery as one before. It was an amazing spell from Ishant. England in trouble 67-4 ( 21.5 overs ).
Session 2 stats: [ 22 Overs ] [ 67 runs ] [ 4 wickets ] [ 3.05 run rate ].
Siraj stacked wickets at regular interval in the last session.
England’s worry grew larger when skipper, Joe Root ( 33 runs from 60 balls, 5(4) ), was caught at first slip by Virat Kohli. Jasprit Bumrah took the wicket. It was a good ball, but at any other situation, Root would not have faced it like this. Anyway, Root was the main run-getter for the England team. With him gone, India’s chances increased considerably. England 67-5 ( 22.3 overs ).
Moeen Ali ( 13 runs from 42 balls, 2(4) ) was the next to go. Mohammad Siraj was on target versus the left-handers. Scrambled seam and seaming away from the batters straight to Virat Kohli. Virat was everywhere. England 90-6 ( 38.1 overs ).
It was a king pair for Sam Curran ( 0 of 1 ). He was out a golden duck again. Quality bowling from Siraj. Ollie Robinson and Jos Buttler tried to stretch the game.
But Bumrah from round the wicket found Robinson’s ( 9 runs from 25 balls ) pads with his off-cutter. Umpire had given it not out, But Virat was quick to respond when he was convinced that the ball was pitched in line. He was right, the replay showed 3 reds, and Robinson was gone.
In the very next over, Siraj struck again to get rid of Jos Buttler ( 25 runs from 96 balls, 3(4) ). Outside off line and just feathered it to Rishabh Pant. James Anderson faced only 3 balls and boom Siraj got his off stump out of the ground. England 120-10.
Bowling Figures: Jasprit Bumrah: [ 15-3-33-3 ], Mohammed Shami: [ 10-5-13-1 ], Mohammed Siraj: [ 10.5-3-32-4 ], Ishant Sharma: [ 10-3-13-2 ].
Watch Ind vs End 2nd test, day 5 highlights here.
Our take on the 2nd test. Read our take on 1st test.
India has struggled for so long against the England tail-enders. Every time India gets close to finishing a game, England tail has resisted successfully. Now Indian bowlers have replied. England has the taste of their own medicine.
Virat Kohli’s captaincy debate. Every time he gets out on a low score or India loses a series, It’s Virat Kohli’s captaincy to blame. It was a case before some time, but he had improved a lot since. Just look at the 4th innings, you will see the difference. Also, he has some excellent ministers around him to advise him. Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Ishant Sharma all have a role to play in the team.
Football leagues have started around the world. Read here.
India’s bowling attack is like a sharp spear. Now, I think Hardik Pandya in place of Ravindra Jadeja is a very curious option to consider. 5 quicks in England, wow looks delicious.
Jadeja’s pick ahead of Ashwin did not matter here. But I still think that Ashwin would have been a better choice, particularly in this taste. With Ashwin bowling 22 overs instead of Jadeja in the 2nd Innings of the match. He would have been more suited. Nonetheless, Jadeja did not disappoint.
For England, Minus Root, Batting is very weak versus a quality lineup like India. I think the pressure was too much of saving the game for the youngsters. They broke in the pressure. I still believe that England will come back stronger.
Although I like the addition of Ollie Robinson. And as I talked previously Jofra Archer, when available, instead of Sam Curran would be scary for the opponent.
