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The Old Trafford Test match witnessed a dramatic shift in momentum as England seized control, largely due to a lackluster performance by the Indian pace attack. What initially appeared to be a competitive first innings total of 358 by India soon seemed insufficient as England's openers, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, forged a formidable 166-run partnership, setting the tone for a dominant day of batting. The Indian bowlers, who had been instrumental in their previous successes, struggled to find their rhythm and accuracy, allowing England to capitalize on the favorable batting conditions that emerged later in the day. Jasprit Bumrah, typically the spearhead of the Indian bowling attack, had an unusually off-day, lacking his trademark consistency and pace. Mohammed Siraj, known for his energetic and impactful spells, appeared tired and lacked the sting that has made him a potent force in the past. Debutant Anshul Kamboj, who was expected to bring accuracy and a 'heavy ball' to the attack, seemed nervous and failed to make a significant impact. Shardul Thakur, often relied upon for crucial breakthroughs, proved ineffective, further compounding India's bowling woes. The collective failure of the pace department allowed England's batsmen to settle in comfortably and dictate terms, putting India under immense pressure. The contrasting performances of the two teams highlighted the importance of consistent and disciplined bowling, especially in conditions that can change rapidly. The inability of the Indian bowlers to exploit the early cloud cover and movement in the air proved costly, as England's openers made the most of the sunshine and flatter pitch in the afternoon. This stark difference in execution raised questions about India's strategy and preparation for the day's play. The pressure is now on India to regroup and find a way to claw their way back into the match, as England's strong position poses a significant threat to their chances of securing a positive result.
The struggles of Jasprit Bumrah were particularly concerning for the Indian team. Known for his pinpoint accuracy, deceptive pace variations, and ability to extract movement from the surface, Bumrah was a shadow of his usual self. His deliveries lacked their customary zip, and his line and length were inconsistent, allowing England's batsmen to score freely. The plan to bowl to a packed off-side field and tempt Crawley into expansive drives backfired as Bumrah's deliveries were often too wide outside off-stump, failing to entice the batsman into taking risks. When he attempted to change his line, he would frequently drift down the leg-side, rendering the off-side field redundant. This lack of control and consistency was uncharacteristic of Bumrah, who is typically relied upon to provide breakthroughs and set the tone for the Indian bowling attack. The dip in pace was also noticeable, raising concerns about his fitness and workload. While Bumrah's performance can be attributed to an off-day, it also highlights the importance of managing his workload and ensuring that he is fresh and at his best for crucial matches. The Indian team needs Bumrah to rediscover his rhythm and accuracy if they are to have any chance of turning the tide in the Test match. His ability to strike with the new ball and unsettle batsmen with his variations will be crucial in the remaining innings. The team management will need to assess his physical condition and provide him with the necessary support to regain his confidence and form.
Mohammed Siraj's performance also fell short of expectations. While his action and rhythm appeared to be in place, his deliveries lacked the usual zip and penetration. The energy and intensity that typically characterize Siraj's bowling were missing, suggesting that he may have been fatigued. As his energy levels diminished, his deliveries tended to tail on the leg-side of the batsmen, making the off-side field largely ineffective. This lack of control and penetration allowed England's batsmen to score comfortably and build a solid partnership. Siraj's inability to maintain his pace and accuracy highlights the challenges of bowling long spells in Test cricket, especially in conditions that offer limited assistance to the bowlers. The Indian team needs to find ways to manage Siraj's workload and ensure that he is fresh and at his best when he is called upon to bowl. His aggressive approach and ability to generate movement off the seam are valuable assets, but he needs to be able to maintain his intensity throughout his spells. The team management may consider using him in shorter bursts to maximize his impact and prevent him from becoming fatigued. Siraj's performance in the remaining innings will be crucial in determining India's chances of restricting England's scoring and putting pressure on their batting lineup.
The debut of Anshul Kamboj was also a disappointment for India. Touted as a promising young bowler with accuracy and a 'heavy ball', Kamboj failed to live up to expectations. He appeared nervous and struggled to find his rhythm and length. His deliveries lacked the penetration and consistency needed to trouble England's batsmen. While it is understandable that a debutant may experience nerves, Kamboj's performance was below par and did not reflect the potential that he is believed to possess. The Indian team needs to provide him with support and guidance to help him overcome his nerves and develop his skills. He needs to work on his accuracy and consistency, and also learn to adapt to the conditions and batsmen. The experience of playing in a Test match will undoubtedly be valuable for Kamboj, and he will need to use this opportunity to learn and improve. The Indian team management needs to have patience with him and provide him with the necessary resources to develop into a successful Test bowler. His future performances will depend on his ability to learn from his mistakes and improve his skills.
The contrasting performances of the Indian and England openers underscored the importance of seizing opportunities and capitalizing on favorable conditions. While the Indian batsmen had to contend with cloud cover and movement in the air early in their innings, England's openers benefited from sunshine and a flatter pitch. They made the most of these conditions, forging a solid partnership and putting India under pressure. Duckett and Crawley displayed excellent technique and temperament, punishing the bad balls and respecting the good ones. They were patient and disciplined, waiting for the opportunities to score and not taking unnecessary risks. Their ability to build a long partnership was crucial in establishing England's dominance in the Test match. The Indian team needs to learn from this and ensure that their batsmen are better prepared to capitalize on favorable conditions in the future. They need to develop a more proactive approach and be willing to take risks when the opportunity arises. The ability to build long partnerships and put pressure on the opposition bowlers is crucial in Test cricket, and the Indian team needs to improve in this area.
England commentator Nasser Hussain made a keen observation regarding Duckett and Crawley, noting their shared capacity to exploit loose deliveries, while highlighting Duckett's superior focus and skill in navigating challenging balls. However, Hussain also acknowledged that Crawley's shot selection had improved considerably in the current Test match. There was an over bowled by Thakur that showcased a couple of superb deliveries that swung, bounced, and seamed away, which Crawley wisely chose to leave alone. However, when Thakur faltered in his length, Crawley was quick to capitalize, pulling the ball to square leg for a boundary. In contrast, Duckett seized upon any loose balls that came his way, and there were plenty. If a ball was slightly short on the off-side, he would execute a precise jab towards the cover region. And when the ball was short, he didn't blindly attack the fielders on the boundary, as was the case with the Indian batsmen. Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar both fell into Stokes' leg-side trap, succumbing to sharp short balls that climbed towards their heads, guiding the ball into the hands of the fielder positioned on the fine-leg boundary. India also attempted to test Duckett with short balls, but he maintained control over his shots, kept the ball down, and played it square of the wicket. This distinction in how the batsmen approached their innings emphasizes a critical aspect of Test cricket.
The dismissals of Duckett and Crawley, albeit to deliveries that weren't necessarily top-tier wicket-taking balls, nonetheless highlighted the ability to induce unforced errors. Crawley edged a Jadeja delivery to slips, while Duckett was caught flashing at a Kamboj short ball outside the off-stump. As the day drew to a close, two concerned figures in Indian blues, coaches Gautam Gambhir and Sitanshu Kotak, approached the pitch. After a brief inspection, they strolled onto the turf, engaging in conversation while intently examining the grass blades. The implication was clear: India might be feeling the ground under their feet beginning to shake. The pressure is mounting on the Indian team to regroup and find a way to regain control of the match. The task ahead is daunting, but not insurmountable. They will need to assess their strategy, address their weaknesses, and find a way to exploit England's vulnerabilities. The remaining days of the Test match promise to be a battle of wills, and the Indian team will need to be at their best if they are to emerge victorious. The support of their fans and the belief in their abilities will be crucial in helping them overcome this challenging situation. The outcome of the Test match remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Indian team will need to fight hard to turn the tide and regain control of the game.