India batsmen struggle again - Day 1 - 4th Test
England won the toss and invited India to bat. And after confident half an hour, by Rohit and Rahul, English pacers - starting with Woakes - rocked India with 39/3 in 20th over. Top 3 sent back. With promoted Jadeja and Virat India 54/3 at lunch.
Surprisingly R Ashwin didn't found a place again, in playing eleven on bit spin friendly history at Oval . Ishant and Shami were replaced by Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur.
Post Lunch Virat was dropped on 22 by Root .Jadeja sent back by Woakes on 10 off 34 balls, at 69/4. Rahane survived close LBW on 1. Meanwhile sun and Virat's cover drives started coming out . India scored 46 in post lunch hour. India got to 100 in 39th over. Virat grown in confidence, finding his usual touch, got to his fifty, with 8 fours off 85 balls. Was looking set for a much waited big one. But Robinson got him caught behind after keeping him quiet for next 11 balls -105/5. Big big blow to India's chances of building a big first innings total. In 50th over Overton struck to remove Rahane on 14 off 47 balls - 117 /6. England again picked up 3 wickets winning second consecutive session . At Tea India 122/6.
Post Tea Rishabh Pant got foxed by Woakes' slower one on 9 - 127/7 in just 53 overs. Shardul Thakur launched brilliant counter attack, played some exquisite cricketing shots with 3 clean sixes, got to 50 in just 31 balls, top scored 57,off 36 balls which also included 7 fours. Fastest 50 at The Oval, London, oldest test match ground, first one actually. Unexpected so was more enjoyable. Got standing ovation. Root was bit clueless till Woakes got him one mistimed. Added 63 with Umesh Yadav. 190/8. Indian innings folded immediately after, at 191 in 61.3 overs. England very happy with the pacers performance after putting India to bat first.
But Boom Boom Bumrah sent both openers back in his second over 6/2.Ever reliable Joe Root and attacking Malan, took to 50 in 13th over. But Umesh Yadav clean bowled Root on 21 in his 6th over with sharp incoming delivery. Dream wicket for India just before the close. Suddenly match is evenly poised. England 138 behind with 7 more wickets. Very interesting 2nd day's play on the card.
Can Indian Pacers stun England by making inroads..?
Shardul Thakur
- Vivek Ketkar
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