India completed Day 4 of the second Test against England firmly in charge, leaving hosts a gigantic target of 608 runs after declaring their second innings at 427/6. India mounted the pressure with a masterful 161-run knock by captain Shubman Gill and a flamboyant 65 by Rishabh Pant, before leaving England to bat under the fading light in Birmingham.
England’s reaction was far from satisfactory, as they closed on 72/3 – still requiring 536 runs with only seven wickets left. The key moment in the evening session was the dismissal of Joe Root, which has left the hosts staring into the barrel on the last day.
In spite of India’s superior status, Ravindra Jadeja’s batting effort came under severe criticism from commentators, especially for his inactivity at a crucial period in the innings.
Batting with Gill in the second session, Jadeja looked too apprehensive. He was faced with 68 balls and was able to score only one boundary before tea. Yet, in a strange gear change, the all-rounder went hard at Shoaib Bashir with a monstrous six soon after the interval leaving everyone wondering about the delay of intent.
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Former England captain Mike Atherton said, “He should have been doing that before tea,” venting his anger at Jadeja’s laid-back strategy in the run-up to the declaration.
Nasser Hussain was more critical, implying that India would come to regret not taking their chances if the game becomes a contest on Day 5.
“Very strange. Why? Why does it take a tea interval for a person to say, oh, let’s get on with it?” Nasser commented. “Every moment counts in a Test match before tea, after tea, it’s all important. If India somehow don’t wrap up this one and head to Lord’s 1-0 down, they’ll regret that half-hour before tea and wonder why they needed a coach to instruct them to push along.”
Jadeja went on to remain unbeaten on 69 off 118 balls after India declared late in the day. Although his innings contributed useful runs, the way he timed it has raised eyebrows, particularly with India’s good position and the desire to use all the time possible to get England out.
As Day 5 dawns, India are favourites still, but everyone will be watching how much time they require and if that slowdown in that second session has anything to do with the eventual result.
