Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root have helped England tighten their grip in the fifth cricket Test against India. The hosts got a tough target of 378 runs to win. In reply, they have scored 259 for three in the second innings till the end of the game on the fourth day. They now need 119 runs to level the series. Root 76 and Bairstow are playing on 72 runs. Meanwhile, former Team India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar feels that the Jasprit Bumrah-led team can do wonders. On the other hand, the former England spinner said that Ravindra Jadeja made a mistake by bowling over the wicket.
Manjrekar tweeted, “Don’t ignore India’s return. They have done this many times before. When you have two world class fast bowlers there is always a possibility. Just India would like the weather to change a bit tomorrow.” Barring Jasprit Bumrah, no Indian bowler showed up on the fourth day. In the name of captain Bumrah, where he took two wickets. On the other hand, Mohammed Shami, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammad Siraj and Shardul Thakur have not opened the account yet.
Don’t rule out an India comeback. They have done it many times before. When you have two world class seamers it’s always a possibility. Just that India would want the weather to change a bit tomorrow.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) July 4, 2022
Siraj has conceded runs at an economy rate of over 6. The fast bowler has spent 64 runs in his 10 overs. Actually, except Ravindra Jadeja, no Indian bowler has an economy rate of less than 4 in this match. Alex Lees and Jack Crawley got off to a good start with a 100-run partnership for England’s first wicket. Root and Bairstow strengthened the middle order with their excellent partnership. His early dismissal will be crucial if India have to make a comeback.
England batsmen batted well. Indian bowlers are being criticized for not stopping runs. Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann is disappointed with the visiting team’s defensive bowling, especially left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja wanted to take advantage of the rough outside the leg-stump for the right-hander. He mostly bowled over the wicket, but did not get much success.
Jadeja later bowled round the wicket, but it was too late as both Bairstow and Root were set up by then. Regarding this, Swann said, “As far as I think there was a mistake from India. That is Jadeja’s over the wicket bowling. Ravindra is such a good bowler, he doesn’t need to bowl over the wicket after falling 3 for 100 while chasing 370.