India vs England : 4th Test Match at Old Trafford: Day Four
India vs England : 4th Test Match at Old Trafford.
Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy
Day Four :
A mixed day for both the teams with England taking the honors in the morning session and India coming back strongly in the following sessions. Ben Stokes completed his much awaited century post the Ashes series in 2023 and England taking a sizeable lead of 311 runs from where there can be only two results; win for England or draw by effective batting by India.
The day started with Ben Stokes ready to go from 1st delivery with Dawson and take the score to the maximum level. However the partnership was broken by Bumrah when he bowled Dawson in the early stages of 4th day. Stokes displayed his intent and started scoring runs in the company of Carse.
The biggest advantage with this England team is their tailenders chipping in when required which India could not sustain. Stokes and Carse continued plundering runs and both added 95 runs in their important partnership. Stokes completed his century and went on to score 141 runs before he was caught in the deep off the bowling of Jadeja.
Carse continued and on his personal score of 46 runs he fell victim to a Jadeja's delivery, but by that time the score read 369 runs and a lead of 311 runs. England had set a big target for India to bat second time and save the test match.
Ben stokes in order to wrap up the series ensured a mammoth total to avoid batting in the fourth innings thus there was no declaration by him earlier.
The wicket is as flat as it can be with only few deliveries showing signs of inconsistent bounce coupled with spin on few occasions, however majority of it remained a batting track.
India to redeem their pride and also to accept the challenge to save the test match started their innings but to the surprise of everyone including the bowler himself got two quick wickets. The deliveries from Woakes were misjudged by both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudarshan paying the price to return in quick succession for individual ducks. It s becoming extremely difficult for Indian think tank to find a suitable number three batsman, one of the most crucial position in the batting order.
Gill joined K L Rahul to arrest the collapse and also to prove a point with a baggage of hattrick of his failures in last three innings. Rahul was at his usual best playing with his watchful eyes, not giving any opportunity to the bowlers. He batted with ease and also with lot of confidence.
Rahul's temperament resembling as cool as ice, not lured by any temptation, ready to bat throughout got displayed with his polished and unblemished innings. Gill started with confidence with few drives in front of the wicket, exhibited his resolve to break the jinx for himself and to lead the team from the front and save the test match.
With Rahul remaining unbeaten on 87 runs and Gill batting on 78 runs, India finishing at 174 for 2 still a deficit of 137 runs. It will be an herculean task ahead to bat through three sessions on 5th day.
The resilience and persistency shown by both the Indian batters speaks of perseverance to fight it out for their Country.
Archer and Woakes were extracting pace and bounce; Dawson bowling to a line and Stokes still not has bowled, a lot is in the waiting for the 5th day, with India fighting back to back sessions.
The ball is 63 overs old and Stokes definitely will take the new ball for using the wicket and the predicted overcast conditions to put pressure on Indian batters . An interesting 5th day is on cards to witness the survival of the match and move to Oval with some positivity for India.
Well summed up, it’s not easy to essay a fight of two unequals. Stokes was the best bowler in first inning but rested himself till now in Indian inning this time. If the morning is sunny, and with rejuvenated Stokes in action, Indian team has to toil hard to avoid inning defeat and take it to tea break. A 3-1 score in favour of England seems inevitable.
ReplyDeleteTeam selection for this Test was very much questionable, with half-fit Bumrah in, leaving out Akashdeep (presumably injured) or Arshdeep and introducing a greenhorn Kamboj (must be sponsored candidate) wearing Indian jersey.
Indian tail must learn to bat, as the Lions showed off the strength of their strong tail. And, kudos to bazball cricket that the England Team played. Salute Ben Stokes for his all round performance in winning the Series (predictably) by a weak team (on paper only, as we see).
Very well said covering all the aspects of the proceedings and the prospect of the game.
ReplyDeleteNice summary. Ben Stokes is some captain, hats off to him. Root might catch up with Tendulkar’s total runs in Test cricket. What a bat and he has 4-5 years left in him. This England side is formidable. The next Ashes series should be an amazing feast for Test cricket lovers.
ReplyDeleteMy two cents ……..
This Indian team is in transition, yes. My advice to GG and SG (coach and captain) is “accept that and build the team with a long-term mindset”. Indian team has too many allrounders, and less specialist batters and bowlers. That doesn’t work. Unless India just doesn’t have specialists worth a position, don’t hedge your bets to cover as many bases as you can. That’s not the way.
Let’s see if this hedging strategy comes to the rescue. I very much doubt that. Result will be the same as the last test match.
Yes you have touched the core point....bent upon taking all rounders at the expense of specialist batter and even keeping aside Kuldeep is robbing the team of options.
DeleteTwo half batters don't make 1 specialist batter, and two part time bowlers don't make a specialist bowlers who can take wickets! Gautam Gambhir's adamant attitude is costing Indian red ball cricket! White ball cricket is different where part time bowlers, bowling wickets to wickets, end up getting wickets when the batsmen are trying to force the run rate - but in test cricket proper specialist bowlers are mandatory to prize out 20 wickets to win a match!
DeleteVery well summed up. Now, it all depends on Rahul and Shubhman to save this Test Match for India, as India has got a long tail.
ReplyDeleteTrue....the unbeaten batters to remain unbeaten and save the team.
DeleteGood coverage.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day, India could salvage some balance but a herculean task lies ahead on the last day.
Stokes will most likely take the new ball after 80 overs and it would be interesting to see how Indian batsman take on Archer and Woakes. Stokes himself may cast his magic spell reserved for the last day. Overall advantage England unless a stellar performance from Indian batsmen defers the final outcome of this series.
Very true...a tough day ahead for India.
DeleteWhile reading your post I feel like seeing a video scripted narration.
ReplyDeleteComing to the match, a very poor & immature captaincy followed by irresponsible batting by Jaiswal and Sai.
Pre lunch session will decide the fate of the match.
Your daily feedback inspires me to analyze and review the game.
DeleteThis match and series is all but gone! Weird decision playing a bowler, who Geoff Boycott would say is bowling lolly pops! Feel sad for Kamboj who was obviously out of depth and never perhaps play again for India! And what about the fitness of our fast bowlers - all injured after playing 0-2 matches each - why pay in crores to the support staff!
ReplyDeleteGambhir can't be allowed to continue as red ball coach just because he's an ex BJP MP!