🏏India tour of England: Eng vs India, 4th Test. July 23-27, Day 5 - Page 29

It seems, the match is going to produce a result!! Let us pray for a draw, which needs our batters' skill to stay there for long.

A day of great despair for India. Last time they conceded a total of 500-plus was in 2021. The players drag themselves off the field having seen England bat them out of the Test and the series probably. It was always going to be a massive challenge to pull things back with the old ball after the erroneous performance from the bowlers yesterday. They were much better in the first session, holding their line well and not giving away too many easy runs. But the ball was old and the pitch less helpful. The luck didn't go their way either and it didn't take long for things to slip away. You can question the decision of not using Washington Sundar until the 69th over as well. He was arguably the best bowler of the day, even offering a glimmer of hope just after lunch with a couple of wickets in quick succession. But Joe Root, who became the second-highest run-scorer in Tests enroute his 150, pulled the door shut.

There were reports of Bumrah tripping on the stairs, which kept him off the field for a while during the second session. He started the day well but faded off towards the end barring the odd spark like the delivery which got rid of Jamie Smith. Kamboj was made to look ordinary. Thakur was hardly seen. And Siraj bustled in for over after over without much luck, as has been the case with him all series. Luck is what India will need in truckloads if they are to salvage anything from the game. Luck, and a lot of rain.

if England declare even now, we won't be able to chase as our players are fielding and bowling from 3 days now only bazz can help

Welcome back to day 4 play.

When the first session begins on Day 2, India will be looking to stage a fight back and break the threatening partnership of Ollie Pope (20*) and Joe Root (11*). Pope and Root will resume batting for the hosts, who stand at 225/2, in response to India’s 358. Ben Stokes’ first five-for in eight years on Day 2 shifted the tide to England’s side and it was well-complemented by a 166-run opening run stand between openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley. On Day 2, England bowlers were in total control and hit better lenghts, found movement with the second ball and dismantled India for 358, even though Rishabh Pant put in a heroic effort with the bat, despite a broken foot. The Indian total seemed good before England began their innings.

Stokes and Dawson see it through to STUMPS

Siraj steams in for the last over, which provides a little bit of excitement, but you can see that the gas has been drained from India's tank just a touch.

England go through to stumps on 544/7, leading by 186 runs, and have ensured India will be fighting for survival when we come back tomorrow.

Siraj strikes but concerning for India as low bounce comes in!

Bittersweet wicket. India a step closer to wrapping up the innings, now a lead of 170, but this doesn't get up at all and crashes through the defenses of Woakes.

Stokes back to bat after cramping earlier.

Former cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar believes that Shubman Gill, who is carrying "immense responsibility," has been thrown into the deep end in his first captaincy stint in England.

India entered the series without batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, aiming for a historic series win on English soil — a feat they haven't achieved since 2007.

From Leeds to London, the visitors fought valiantly but now find themselves trailing 2-1 in the five-match series. The fourth Test has marked a clear departure from the closely contested nature of the first three matches, with India appearing overwhelmed as England takes charge.

"Shubman Gill is on his first trip to England as a batter and has also been thrown into the deep end as captain, carrying immense responsibility. He fought well across the first three Tests, but this game feels slightly beyond India, considering the challenges and resources. India's bowling was hampered by Akash Deep's unavailability -- he picked up 10 wickets in the last Test but missed out due to injury. Anshul Kamboj came in, but struggled to rise to the demands of Test cricket," Manjrekar said on JioHotstar.

Manjrekar also stressed that India continues to treat spin as an afterthought. While the pace attack of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kamboj, and Shardul Thakur bowled a combined 83 overs for just three wickets, the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar claimed four wickets in 52 overs.

"One area India could've improved is their bowling combination, seamers bowled nearly 82 overs for just three wickets, while spin got four wickets in just 52 overs. That's something they'll need to reassess. The standout, though, was Mohammed Siraj -- it was great to see him bowl with such heart right till the end," he added.

Kaif gives example of Virat and Rohit

"Pehle Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin nahi hain. Ab shayad Bumrah ke bina bhi – jo humare Hindustani fans hain – unhe aadat dalni padegi. Bhai, mujhe lagta hai ki aapko unke bina Test match dekhne ki aadat daalni hogi. [First, there’s no Virat Kohli, no Rohit Sharma, no R Ashwin. And now, perhaps Indian fans will have to prepare themselves for Test cricket without Bumrah too. I genuinely feel that you may need to get used to watching Test matches without him.]"

"Dua karta hoon jo main keh raha hoon, meri prediction galat ho. Par jo maine is Test match mein dekha – mujhe laga ki woh enjoy nahi kar rahe hain. Bilkul bhi enjoy nahi kar rahe. Woh shareer se haare hue hain. Zehan bilkul tez hai, jazba wahi hai – par shareer saath nahi de raha hai. Toh phir aap kya kar sakte ho? [I hope and pray that I’m wrong, and this prediction doesn’t come true. But from what I’ve seen in this Test, he doesn’t look like he’s enjoying it anymore. Not at all. He’s physically defeated. His mind is still sharp, his passion remains, but his body isn’t keeping up. So what can you really do?]" he said.

Kaif's statement on Bumrah

"Jasprit Bumrah. Mujhe lagta hai ki aane wale Test matches mein aapko unhe khelte hue na dikhein, aur ho sakta hai woh retirement bhi le lein. Shareer se woh joojh rahe hain, dheemi ball daal rahe hain, raftaar dikhi nahi is Test match mein, aur woh khuddar bante ja rahe hain. Agar unhe lagega ki main 100% nahi de pa raha hoon, desh ke liye, main jeeta nahi paa raha, wickets nahi le paa raha hoon, toh woh khud hi mana kar denge – aisi meri feeling hai. Aur agar samay na mila, woh alag baat hai. [I feel that in the upcoming Test matches, you may not see him play, and perhaps, he might even retire. He’s struggling physically, bowling slower deliveries, and his pace hasn’t been visible in this Test match. He seems to be becoming more self-aware and principled. If he feels he can’t give 100% for the country, that he’s no longer winning games or taking wickets, I believe he’ll step away on his own. That’s my gut feeling. And if he doesn’t get time to recover, that’s another issue]," Kaif said on his social media handle while posting a video.

Shocking! Jasprit Bumrah to quit Test cricket?

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif sparked debate with a bold statement, suggesting that Jasprit Bumrah may soon walk away from Test cricket. Kaif questioned whether the star pacer can continue in the demanding format, pointing to signs of physical struggle and a noticeable dip in intensity.

In the ongoing Test at Old Trafford, Bumrah has picked up just one wicket across two days of play.

His pace has also raised eyebrows — he’s breached the 140 kmph mark only once so far in the match. To make matters worse, he reportedly sustained a minor injury while walking down the stairs at the venue.