ENG vs IND: Wasim Jaffer points all positives for India from the rain-affected Nottingham Test

Former Indian batsman Wasim Jaffer has listed out the positives which India had in the first Test against England at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The first Test was set up beautifully after the fourth day as India needed 157 runs with nine wickets in hand to win the match. Unfortunately, rain on the final day restricted any play which meant the match was drawn. 

Jaffer posted a tweet in which he noted everything that went right for India while also taking a sly dig at the England team. India were at 52 for 1 and were the favorites to chase down the target of 209 runs. On the other hand, there was no doubt that there were more times in the Test when the visitors were ahead with some momentum than England. 

Wasim Jaffer in his tweet noted Mohammad Shami’s spell in the first innings when England was going strong at 138 for 3 with Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root in the middle. Shami managed to dismiss the former and Dan Lawrence in the same over, either side of the lunch to start a collapse which eventually led to England slipping to 183 all-out. 

Wasim Jaffer noted every significant contribution by the Indian team in Nottingham

The former Mumbai player further pointed out Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul’s opening stand of 97 in the first innings as a positive. While Rohit made 36, Rahul went on to score 84 runs, an innings that might have helped him cement his place in the side for the next game. The pair also had a good stand of 34 runs in the second essay where Rahul made 26 runs while Rohit was unbeaten on 12. 

Jaffer also noted that Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj bowled crucial spells during the Test. Thakur managed to pick up two wickets in each innings with his effort from the first innings being quite memorable. He got the wickets of Root and Ollie Robinson in the same over while he further went on to pick up two quick wickets in the second innings. 

Rain saved England but lots of positives for India this test:@MdShami11 2 wkts in an over @ 138-3.@klrahul11 and @ImRo45 opening.@imjadeja and the tail.@mdsirajofficial and @imShard with crucial breakthroughs.
And @Jaspritbumrah93 throughout.
Team performance 👏🏻 #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/fCADEKH4BR

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) August 8, 2021

Siraj bowled his heart out and got three scalps in the Test. But, it was Jasprit Bumrah’s effort that was magnificent as the pacer ended with nine wickets in the Test. He followed up his 4 for 46 in the first innings with a 5 for 64 which set up the game for India.

This was also the second time that all 20 wickets were taken by the Indian pacers. Wasim Jaffer also praised the way Ravindra Jadeja (scored 56 in the first innings) batted around the tail which ensured that India had a lead of 95 runs in their first innings.