India v England, 2nd Test, Day 4 - 5 Talking Points

Late strikes from Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja took India closer to getting an 1- 0 lead in the series. After setting a target of 405 runs earlier in the day, India was made to toil a bit as opener Alastair Cook and Haseeb Hameed decided put the defensive gloves on and frustrated the hosts. Luck also seemed to have deserted them after two DRS decisions went against them. But, Ashwin and Jadeja soon found the breakthroughs and removed Hameed and Cook respectively to put Indian back on top.

The morning session of the fourth day belonged to England. Indians, who resumed batting at an overnight score 98/3, were shot out for just 204 runs. The Indian lower order, who helped India reach the mammoth total in the first inning was successfully neutralized by the duo of Stuart Broad and Adil Rashid whoc shared eight wickets between them.

1.The DRS chaos:

The 46th and the 47th over were perhaps the most dramatic overs of today’s play asit saw two DRS appeals from Indian getting turned down. Hameed and Cook clearly looked in no discomfort batting against the Indian spinners. But, both the Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja kept bowling relentlessly. The result was soon visible as in the 46th over, Jadeja hit Cook right in front of the pad.

The ball which turned sharply from the rough beat the inside edge. The umpire did not agree and turned down the decision. After a long chat with the bowler and wicket-keeper, Kohli called for the review. Unfortunately, the projection showed the umpire’s call on clipping leg stump and the on-field decision stayed on. The following over saw a similar thing happen.

It was Cook once again but Ashwin on the other side this time. The ball beat the left hander’s defense and the Indians roared once again. There was more confidence this time and a mini-celebration already took place. But the umpire Dharmasena gave it not out. Kohli did not think much this time and went for the review. Luck, unfortunately, did not favor the Indians as the third umpire stuck with the umpires call.

2. Unlucky Hameed:

So far in the four innings, teenager Haseeb Hameed has shown his flawless technique against spin. He looked immovable and whether it is Shami bowling or Ravichandran Ashwin, the right-hander faces them like an experienced veteran.

But, unfortunately, luck seems to be deserting him, at least in this Test. After impressing in the debut match, Hameed once looked well settled in the first innings before he got run out. He came out with more hunger in the second innings and along with Cook frustrated the Indians with his tight defensive batting.

But, as luck would have it. The 19-year-old lost his wicket to in a pretty unexpected way. Few overs after the DRS drama took place, a low-bounce delivery from Ashwin saw Hameed getting trapped LBW. The loopy delivery did not bounce at all and Hameed despite all hi effort could not touch the ball and had to depart for a well-compiled 25 run knock which took 144 balls.

3. Cook departs off the last ball of the day:

The last session of the day came to a perfect end. India had a pretty unlucky time but the final ball of the day overshadow all the hard work and bad luck they had with DRS. While Hameed’s wicket brought relief, the biggest prize, Cook was still operating in the middle.

However, India ended on a high after Jadeja managed to trap the English skipper LBW. There was an anxious moment for the Kohli & Co. when Cook decided to go for the LBW. The only concern was whether the ball hit the bat or not. The replays later confirmed that only ball and the pads involved as umpire Dharamsena confirmed the final decision and raised is hand.

4.Adil Rashid and Broad haunts India:

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid was the most successful bowler after Stuart Broad for England this match. The leg-spinner after being ineffective yesterday was in great rhythm today and claimed 4/82. While Broad did most of the damage to the Indian batting order, the leg spinner combined well with him and did not let the middle order stage any fight back.

Broad began the day with the wickets of Ajinkya Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin. But, it was Rashid, who had Virat Kohli brilliantly caught at slip by Ben Stokes for 81, who brought England on top. Then towards the end, he added Jadeja, Saha, and Umesh Yadav to finish with a highly appreciable tally.

5. India close to victory:

The late loss of Alastair Cook meant Indian fans can now think of a quick finish tomorrow. Logically, doesn’t look easy as the likes of Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and Jonny Bairstow along with the highly capable lower order like Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid.

But, Cook’s dismissal surely is a huge confident booster. The spinners, who went through a grind in the last session returned with a huge relief. Also, the task of chasing 318 runs on the final day against Ashwin and Jadeja is a daunting task if not improbable.