England vs India 2018: 2nd Test, Hits and Misses

After surrendering the first Test match from a winning position, a lot was expected from India, the number one ranked side in the world in the second Test. After being put into bat in cloudy conditions by Joe Root, the much famed Indian batting line-up folded in front of an in-form James Anderson.

None of the batsmen could withstand the tough conditions and the Indian innings lasted just 35 overs as they were bundled out for 107. In reply, Indian bowlers showed some great fight to restrict England to 131/5, before a match-winning partnership between Jonny Bairstow and Chris Woakes put the match beyond India’s reach. After declaring at a score of 396, the English bowlers resumed from where they had left off in the first innings.

Stuart Broad bowled a fiery spell to give England a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Let us have a look at some of the hits and misses from the second Test match.

#1 Hit: James Anderson

The 36-year-old veteran set the match up beautifully for the hosts with a brilliant spell of fast bowling. Offering absolutely no freebies to the batsmen, Jimmy set the game rolling with a wonderful outswinger to remove Murali Vijay in the very first over of the match. That set the tone for the rest of the match.

Anderson bundled out India for just 107 runs with a spell of 5 wickets for just 20 runs. In the second innings as well, Anderson was right on the money. He removed both the openers and then came back to polish off the tail. His match figures of 9/43 did justice to the hard work he put in the game.

#2 Hit: Jonny Bairstow

England had lost 3 wickets for just 77 runs when Bairstow came into bat. Both Joe Root and Jos Buttler were sent back to the hut by a rampaging Mohammed Shami who got the ball to move with pace.

England had to bat last in the Test and hence needed a sizeable lead. Bairstow put his head down and began accumulating runs at a healthy pace. His counterattacking innings of 93 runs from just 144 balls tilted the game firmly in England’s favour. By the time he was dismissed, England had the game in their grasp. His 189-run partnership with Chris Woakes was the turning point of the game.

#3 Hit: Chris Woakes

Chris Woakes is one of the finest lads in the game. His ability to swing the ball along with an excellent technique is what makes him a world-class all-rounder. Woakes completely bamboozled Virat Kohli with his fine outswing bowling in the first innings. He went past the outside edge a number of times. He had the last laugh as Jos Buttler held on to an edge from the Indian captain. It was a big moment in the game.

But it was his brilliant innings of 137 not out that took the game away from India. His chanceless innings completely deflated India’s bowling attack. A four-wicket haul in the match along with a fine century got him the man of the match award.

#4 Miss: Murali Vijay

A lot was expected from the Indian opener after his twin failures in the first Test match at Edgbaston. But the “monk” as he is fondly called for his cool temperament, went for an extravagant drive against the swing in the very first over of the game, only to see his stumps rattled.

The 34-year-old was dismissed for a pair in the match as he was caught behind in the second innings to James Anderson. The lack of application shown by Vijay on this tour is a cause for concern for the Indian team. With age not on his side and his scores overseas failing to justify his selection, it might just be the last game that he has played for India.

#5 Miss: Virat Kohli

King Kohli had a wonderful time in the last Test match at Edgbaston. However, he was not able to carry on the good form from the last Test. First, he sold Cheteshwar Pujara a dummy in the first innings which resulted in Pujara being run out. After seeing off a wonderful spell from his nemesis James Anderson in the first innings, Kohli let his concentration slip and was dismissed by Chris Woakes.

In the second innings, Kohli’s abilities were hampered by a stiff back. The Indian captain could only eat out 29 deliveries before being caught at short leg by Ollie Pope off the bowling of Stuart Broad. Captaincy was another area of concern for the Indian captain who went for an extra spinner on a seaming track.

#6 Miss: Kuldeep Yadav

A lot was expected from Kuldeep Yadav by the Indian fans after his brilliant performances with the ball in the limited overs contest on the tour. After being roped into the XI in place of a more experienced Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep failed to justify his selection with some poor bowling.

With the batsmen under no pressure (as compared to the limited overs contest) to push on the scoring rate, Kuldeep’s wrong ones were not that effective. He conceded 44 runs from the 9 overs he bowled in the match. With the bat as well, Kuldeep could not do anything of note as he bagged a pair.