Former cricketer Dinesh Karthik has pointed out a crucial error made by the Indian pacers in their approach towards England opener Ben Duckett on Day 2 of the ongoing fourth Test match. After India was bowled out for 358, Duckett played a vital innings, scoring 94 runs off 100 balls.
Karthik highlighted that bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj should have been more accurate with their line against Duckett. He mentioned that the Indian bowlers bowled too many deliveries on the leg stump, allowing Duckett to capitalize on his strength of playing shots on the leg side. Karthik emphasized the importance of bowling on the off side to prevent Duckett from scoring freely.
The former cricketer also acknowledged the difficulty in bowling to Duckett but emphasized the need for experienced bowlers like Bumrah and Siraj to adjust their line to counter the left-hander’s attacking approach. Duckett’s innings put India on the back foot, as he hit 13 fours at a strike rate of 94.
In a related discussion, former England captain Michael Vaughan questioned India’s decision to hand the new ball to debutant pacer Anshul Kamboj instead of starting with Bumrah and Siraj. Vaughan suggested that the experienced duo should have been given the responsibility to start the bowling attack.
With England leading the series 2-1, the ongoing Test match is crucial for Shubman Gill and his team as they look to level the series. The hosts ended Day 2 at 225/2, trailing India by 133 runs.
In conclusion, India’s missed opportunities with the ball and England’s strong batting display have set the stage for an intriguing battle in the remaining days of the Test match. Fans can expect more exciting cricket as both teams look to gain the upper hand in the series.
