- The fourth Test match between India and England turned out to be a fabulous display of top-notch performances from both teams competing at such high levels. Not for nothing is it mentioned that a true test of a cricketer is found in the classic format of the game, showcasing a keen and equal contest between the bat and the ball. Cricket fans who have grown up on the longer version of the game would know the ongoing five-match Test series between the two talented teams has produced some of the most entertaining and enthralling performances in the last few weeks. England were leading 2-1 and aiming to win the fourth Test and seal the series at Manchester. However, what was dished out in Manchester was a resolute fightback from Team India.
PC: India Today
- It must be mentioned here that the two teams have shown exceptional restraint right from the first delivery of the series, highlighting professional competency and allowing the bat and the ball to do the talking rather than indulging in unnecessary hyperbole. Team India’s first innings score of 358 was met by a humongous 669 by Team England. However, it must be noted that in doing so, a lot of time was consumed by the hosts. Of course, for the better part of the innings, Indian bowlers were forced to indulge in a leather hunt with pace bowlers, including the indefatigable Jasprit Bumrah, being largely ineffective. The drastic drop in pace must be a worrying factor for the team management, with one more Test left to decide the series.
PC: NewsBytes
- Most hearteningly, the way Team Indian batters responded after losing two wickets for nothing in the first over must have warmed the cockles of cricket lovers and team management alike. Playing out five sessions and losing only two more wickets in the bargain must be duly acknowledged as a monumental effort by the Indian batters. Shubman Gill scored a fourth ton in the series, a record for the debutant captain. KL Rahul’s 90 was a gritty effort, too. Outstanding batsmanship from the two bowling all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, scoring respective hundreds, was most defining between India losing the Test/series and staying alive to fight for the last one scheduled at the Oval. They simply stole the show with their tremendous fightback.
PC: Mid-day
- Frustrated Ben Stokes looked silly when he went up to shake hands, indicating a tame draw when Jadeja and Sundar were in their 80s and 90s. Jadeja rightly refused to concede a draw since the well-deserved hundreds were within their reach. Just because the English bowlers were bravely/successfully thwarted by the Indian batters, leading to a no-result scenario, does not mean the match would have to be called off. The silly exhibition of unsportsmanlike behaviour from the captain looked totally out of place and unprofessional. Both batters duly completed their hundreds, and hands were indeed shaken to call out time. In hindsight, Ben Stokes would have realized that the uncharacteristic situation panning out could have been avoided altogether.
