India or England ?
It was Shardul Thakur again . With terrific straight drives, even Sachin Tendulkar would be proud of. Also lifting bowlers over their head, such awesome clean hitting with a straight bat. Played some exclusive drives. No wonder Shastri was teasing him as the great Vivian Richards after similar display on Australian tour. With second very important half century in the match - 60 off 72 balls, with 7 fours and a six. Formed excellent dominating century partnership with Rishabh Pant , took Team India to relatively very safe position on the fourth afternoon of the fourth test match, from where they can challenge hosts England.
But having said that - Facing 368 runs target , England openers did very well to play out 32 overs, with 77 not out on fourth day evening, without much of a difficulty. So 291 more with minimum 90 overs at 2.91 per over. On a batsman friendly 5th day Oval wicket, it`s anybody`s game now. 10 wickets for India or England collapse , recovery and draw...even tie.
On forth day morning after 45 minutes Jadeja departed bit unluckily - LBW. Vice captain, Rahane followed him with no score. Woakes got both. By first hour India was able to add 26 runs and lost 2 wickets. 296/5. Virat 40* joined by Pant. India lead 197. Virat was encashing full pitched deliveries with his trademark cover drives. Both ran extremely well between the wickets. Virat looked all set for a big innings. But Moeen Ali delivered a big big blow - got Virat 44 caught in slip.312/6. Led 213. By Lunch India reached 329/6. Added 59 for 3 wickets. Lead 230.
Post lunch it was Shardul Thakur and Rishabh Pant show. Pant started to look aggressive and even more once the lead crossed 250. Shardul continued confidently just like 1st innings, as told earlier above . England team started looking more and more depleted, with every stroke...every run. Root getting extremely worried. Tired English attack was looking listless after more than 125 overs of Indian innings. Pant and Shardul continued to add runs quite aggressively. By drinks, post lunch hour India 375/ 6, added 46., without any loss. 276 ahead - Hosts wicketless. Pant escaped simple run out at 376, adding to England agony. That prompted both to press accelerator. Almost 10 plus runs per over, for next 5 odd overs. After 136 overs Root himself had to come in to attack and immediately removed Shardul on 60 after exact 100 runs partnership off just 155 balls. - 412 /7. 313 Ahead. Moeen struck immediately with caught and bowled Pant on 50, just about to start going in top gear. 414/8. England feel bit relieved after few miserable hours in the field on quite hot sunny day. Excellent session for India - added 116 runs off 2 wickets, at 4.46 runs per over. At fourth day tea - India 346 ahead - 445/8.Even Yadav and Bumrah chipped in with 25 and 24 runs. Ultimately India all down for 466, half an hour post tea. Target for England 368.
So who is going to stand out for India on 5th and final day for India? Jaspreet Bumrah, Umesh Yadav , Ravindra Jadeja with whatever little support from bowler`s rough marks on 5th day pitch , Mohammad Siraj - Brisbane and Lord`s star or even Shardul Thakur with crucial wicket or two ?The day could well decide the fate of the series 1-1 at the moment.
Very exciting
and riveting day`s play on the cards.
- Vivek Ketkar
Shardul Thakur effortless - stylishly lifting for a six.
मराठीत समालोचनासाठी पहा :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVd8iv5kguU
No comments:
Post a Comment