Sanjay Manjrekar feels the Indian seamers unknowingly dug a hole for the team on Day 1

India didn’t have much to cheer for in the first two sessions of Day 1 in their fifth Test against England at Kennington Oval. Ravindra Jadeja picked up the wicket of Keaton Jennings in the first session, but the likes of Moeen Ali and Alastair Cook buckled down to expertly stave off the Indian attack. Both scored half-centuries to frustrate the Indian bowlers.

However, just when Cook looked determined to convert his fifty, Jasprit Bumrah broke his defence as the red cherry crashed into his stumps. It marked the start of an English collapse. From 133/1 in the 64th over, the Three Lions were reduced to 198/7 by the close of play. To be more precise, the Poms lost six wickets for 65 runs in a space of nearly 27 overs.

Moeen to again come to the party?

After Cook’s dismissal, skipper Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow were nipped out by Bumrah and Ishant Sharma. More importantly, both perished for ducks, much to England’s despair. Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler put their heads down but eventually couldn’t survive the heat of the Indian speedsters. Sam Curran also was unable to replicate his last match’s performance.

In the meantime, Sanjay Manjrekar, the cricketer turned commentator, believes that the Indian bowlers have created an area of a rough patch on the pitch by constantly bowling around the wicket. He also feels that Moeen Ali, who ripped apart India’s batting in the last match, has a chance to reap benefits out of the patches. He put forth his analysis during today’s pitch report of the second day in London.

He took to Twitter and wrote, “Just had a look at the pitch. Interesting how things even out in this game. Ind seamers troubling Eng batsmen by bowling round the wicket but creating rough ideal for Moeen to trouble Indian batsmen in return. #IndvEng,”

Here is Manjrekar’s tweet

Just had a look at the pitch.
Interesting how things even out in this game. Ind seamers troubling Eng batsmen by bowling round the wicket but creating rough ideal for Moeen to trouble Indian batsmen in return. #IndvEng

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) September 8, 2018

[interaction id=”5b922f41d191c3bff00f9eb1″]

For more news and developments, stay tuned on CricTracker.com.