The day kicked off with intense drama and palpable tension, only to see a flicker of hope later on. However, the moments in between were equally captivating, revealing a lack of spirit among the tourists rather than a deficiency in skill. It seemed as if the Indian team was suffering from an unexpected lack of enthusiasm—perhaps someone should concoct a metaphorical blue pill to remedy this!
The match began with India’s spirits high and performance levels to match. Jasprit Bumrah bowled from the Kirkstall Lane End, while Mohammed Siraj charged up the hill from the other end, both delivering impeccable lines and lengths. Ben Duckett opened the batting with a boundary off the third ball, but it took another seven overs for the next four. Bumrah showcased his brilliance with a couple of remarkable deliveries, leaving Duckett hanging by a thread of luck. Bumrah’s four overs yielded just eight runs, while Siraj’s five overs brought in 13. In those first ten overs, Duckett faced 35 balls and managed a mere six runs. The match hung in the balance, uncertain of its next move.
But it was India that faltered. Just ten overs later, England had more than doubled their scoring rate, adding 58 runs, and the Indian team’s shoulders visibly sagged. Shardul Thakur, a 33-year-old player with a modest Test career, was called to bowl. However, after conceding 17 runs in three overs with a lack of consistency and strategy, he was quickly pulled off the field. Later, an embarrassing slip while attempting to field at midwicket left him apologetic as the ball rolled past, transforming a sharp single into an easy three. It all felt a bit amateurish.
India’s fielding adjustments were reactive, with players repeatedly repositioned to counter the last shot played. They made several attempts to have the ball changed, but having learned from Rishabh Pant’s earlier reprimand, their efforts carried an air of desperation. In the next block of ten overs, Duckett faced 32 deliveries and scored an impressive 33 runs.
Despite a rocky start, Shardul Thakur managed to turn things around by taking two wickets in two balls. England’s target still seemed distant—264 runs away—but the atmosphere suggested otherwise, as India appeared to be a defeated team.
Describing India’s bowlers as a one-man band would be unfair to anyone not named Bumrah. However, Duckett’s treatment of Prasidh Krishna was nothing short of disrespectful. In the early afternoon, with a fresh ball—thanks to India’s persistent appeals—and a refreshed mindset, Krishna looked like a different bowler compared to the opening session when he seemed lost.
Siraj, a talented bowler with an expressive style, showcased his full repertoire when he returned for an over just before lunch. He was animated, strutting and fuming as he hustled through his deliveries. Just as he was about to deliver his final ball, Zak Crawley detected some movement behind him, forcing Siraj to return to his mark and miss the 1 PM cutoff by mere seconds. As the players departed, England headed off with renewed hope while India was left to ponder their missed opportunities.
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