Before the Fifth Test (INDIA TOUR OF ENGLAND 2021)
The Big Picture
Ben Stokes once said, "Test cricket is at its pinnacle." And, no wonder it is. The recently concluded fourth test between India and England reveals why the integrity and nature of the longest format of the game hasn't changed through generations. So, it went this way.
India were bundled out for a mere 124 runs. Wait! What did Shardul Thakur and Umesh Yadav just make of it? A surprise knock from Shardul Thakur of 36-ball 57 (also, the fastest test 50 in England) lifted India to a respectable total of 191 runs. When even the best and most experienced batters were not able to cross the 15-run mark, fifties from Virat Kohli and Shardul Thakur boosted India. It was supposed to be a comeback with the bat from the team after a dismal outing in the third test. But, it did not happen. Before the first day was over, India was all out and Chris Woakes starring with 4 wickets. Now, after the bowlers had done their job, it was upon the batters to take a massive lead on a dead pitch where the ball did not do much and conditions good for batting. But, it just did not happen. After negotiating uneventful first three overs from Umesh Yadav (who was playing his first match after suffering an injury in Australia) and Jasprit Bumrah, both the English openers were well set for conquest. But, the game threw another surprise. The very next over- Bumrah removes Burns and Hameed. While another 11 overs passed by, wicketless but expensive, the skipper and Malan drowned India's hopes of getting their third wicket on the same day. Out of nowhere, a ball turned in and beat the defensive push of Joe Root to ring the death bell behind. Stumps approached and nightwatchman, Craig Overton was sent to battle the next over, which he successfully did. 13 wickets fell off the first day on a pitch, declared good for batting. India did not take longer than 1.4 overs the next day to dismiss the nightwatchman (This was Umesh's 150th international wicket). India struck back after another 4 overs to dismiss one of the heroes of the last match, Dawid Malan to leave England reeling at 62/5. Then, came a match saving partnership between Bairstow and Ollie Pope and they batted out the remaining session. Just when it seemed momentum was shifting towards England, Siraj managed to get the prized wicket of Bairstow to break the 91 run stand. Moeen Ali came in and built another crucial stand with Ollie Pope. With Moeen Ali getting out to a rash shot and Ollie Pope out on his 81, the tail, led by a 50 from Woakes, added crucial runs and England managed a lead of just 99 runs. India started off in the manner they would have wanted. While Rahul and Kohli missed their half centuries, Pujara stormed back to form and Rohit Sharma scored his maiden overseas test century. With another 50 from Shardul, the tail added runs and posted a mammoth total of 368 runs to chase. then, England started well but lost the plot in between and the rest is history. Let us discuss the talking points of the test.
Rohit Sharma's Maiden Overseas Test Century
After a long wait, finally, Rohit Sharma brought up his maiden overseas test century with a 78 metre long huge six off Moeen Ali. It seems like Rohit has well adjusted himself in the opening spot and his place in the team is no longer a headache. The hitman is no longer prone to getting out against inswinging deliveries and has had a good hand as an opener till now. Interestingly, he got out once again playing the pull shot when the ball stuck on the pitch. Apart from his decision of pulling a ball or not, everything is well set and he is ready for the next match where he could get a new partner if the coaches are not happy with Rahul though that his highly unlikely.
A Big One Loading?
While many have voiced their concerns over Kohli's poor form, there have also been predictions of a big knock from the skipper. While the century drought continues, Virat's number of runs have ascended. Virat Kohli's supreme, one can believe, was 2018. However, he has met with repaired a few technical mistakes and is focusing on his game more than his shots. Some luck has supported him as well. The captain is not being able to convert starts from 50's to big ones. He is struggling with balls he can leave and his defence is catching edges when outswingers are bowled. This is something he would like to work on. The team would not be too worried about his ways of dismissals but the big V would like to bring his confidence back. Overall, whenever he scores more than 70, he can give his team momentum to build a massive total around him.
Jadeja- the Allrounder?
Ravindra Jadeja has been under the scanner these days, especially because he has been chosen over the best spinner in the world. However, it seems he is not living upto expectations and is not bringing the stability factor that was required of him. In the ongoing tour, it can be noticed that he has made 50+ score only once in 7 innings while making a 30+ only twice else. He has not been able to score more than 10 in any of the other innings, which is worrying. His bowling has also deteriorated since the past and he has not been among wickets. Although he played a huge role in win at the Oval by bowling on the rough consistently, it is notably dissatisfying that he is yet to take a wicket while making a 30+ score. Also, his failure in the lower order has forced the team to experiment with him in the middle order which is not working either. Hence, his exclusion from the side may not come as a surprise. However, it is not likely he will be replaced since the side is winning anyways.
Rahane's Bad Days
After another poor day at the office, the experienced middle order batter has been trolled by critics for his lack of runs. His batting suggests he has got the basics right- just that his shot selection and timing on shots has got the better of him. Apart from his batting being bad, bowling of the English bowlers has also reached greater heights against him. After a good knock of 49 runs in the WTC final, he has been believed to lead the middle order. While a wicket falls, he is not being able to survive the next 40-50 balls which do a lot due to bowlers trying harder to get another wicket .Despite being a very experienced player, he has not been able to trust the bounce of the ball and there have been man times when he is struck on the pads followed by an LBW appeal. A dropped catch has also added to his bad days, leaving the management with no other option than to giving him some rest. If this is the case it will be very difficult to select out of Suryakumar Yadav and Hanuma Vihari.
Shardul Thakur- The Only One to Perform in All 4 Innings
Shardul Thakur is another star IPL has given. However, in a completely different format, he did what famous top order batters would be proud of. Smacking a 36-ball 57 in tests is no joke and this was accomplished by the Lord Shardul, breaking Ian Botham's record of fastest 50 in England. His innings came as a saviour for India and saved the team from a very low score. In the English first innings, he proved his worth by taking the prized wicket of Ollie Pope and prevented the opposition from dominating the match. In his second innings, he was again on and scored a 72-ball 60 to put India in a strong position. Getting the wicket of Joe Root in the second innings of England, if it was not for Rohit's 127, he had all points in his favour to become the man of the match. While many hailed him as the next Kapil Dev and said that he could fulfil the role of an overseas allrounder, he is fit and in all rights to play the last test and he could be the difference in the last test as well.
Bumrah's Masterclass
Jasprit Bumrah was termed "out of form" heading into the series. However, he proved that once again why he is one of the best in the business. Taking a total of 4 wickets in the match, Jasprit Bumrah's overs were as venomous as snakes when he was getting the ball turn. Finishing with an economy of just 1.22 in the fourth innings and the priceless wickets of Jonny Bairstow with an unplayable inswinging yorker and Ollie Pope with a jaffa. Being the fastest Indian pacer ton reach the 100-wickets milestone, he is showing authority and dominance over the opposition and there is no way he could be dropped from the next test unless Virat Kohli and co. decide to give him some rest with IPL and T20 World Cup on the trot.
Pujara Returns With a New Style
While it was a good news for the Indians that Pujara was among runs and he was the second highest scorer in the second innings, it was also astonishing to see that it was not the old Pujara. He was not just leaving or defending balls. He was playing with intent to make runs and was attacking any lose ball that came his way. With a solid partnership with Rohit Sharma, he turned the tide in favour of his team. In the fist innings though, he departed for a 30-ball 4, it was clear that his old technique of playing slowly was not applicable here and the situations did not need that.
Ollie Pope Shines in Midst of an unreliable Middle Order
It was Ollie Pope's home ground at the Oval and he justified what he can bring. Among the failures of Bairstow, Moeen Ali and, shockingly, Joe Root, Ollie Pope was the only batsman who could cross 30 apart from Chris Woakes. The failures also suggest the weakness of the middle and lower order. Chris Woakes was magnificent during his stay at the crease but they need their Broadless tail to perform. With Mark wood available, he might be able to add some interesting runs on the board.
A fighting clash awaits.
Comments
Post a Comment