The England --India Tests -- The Indian Hospitality is Great

I did not quickly pen down my thoughts after the third test. The true Indian cricket team fan is ever optimistic – A turnaround in the fourth test was the expectation--  Alas , it was that false optimism that we carry always about the Indian Cricket team.

The Fourth test at Old Trafford

If  one thought that the third test result was an aberration, the fourth test conclusively proved it was not.

Choosing to bat on an Old Trafford pitch that traditionally is one of the quickest pitches in England and for sure will help with bounce , swing and seam movement , the Indians quickly folded up for a paltry 152. In reply, as conditions improved, England could take a commanding lead. India had to bat out the second time and I thought it was one of those easy tasks on a wicket that had become flat .

And  to add, all that India needed to bat out was two sessions on Day three—What about the balance two days ?

 Storms were predicted and rains would ensure that  both the days play would be washed out—that would meant a draw which was  a great result to the Indian team.

 And to boot – the first innings top wicket taker , Stuart Broad was not going to bowl.

With all this in mind , One would have expected some stout defending and playing out the third day. But what happened on Day three was just horrific. Wickets fell like pins and with no shades of resistance , England run over India in the two sessions of play to run out winners by an innings. Of course , I did not Count in Moeen Ali who was the chief tormentor in the second innings – Moeen is now becoming a good bowler who can bat a bit—Mind you he is a spinner and he is the second leading wicket taker in the series and we all know how many wickets have Ravi Jadeja and Ashwin taken.. he was the surprise package from England that turned around the match.

The Third test

Now the Indian Hospitality that came to fore in the third test—

Alastair Cook was in poor form . He needed some help and who could do that –

Of Course, the  Indian team out there.. A regulations slip catch was dropped when Cook was barely settling down. ( Poor Pankaj Singh – what a debut he had ) he continued to look out of sorts, in trouble at the crease .. All he needed was this help. Cook rediscovered his form and that set the tone for this test match.  

Going in to this match , Indians were at advantage. Having inflicted a unexpected victory in the previous test , India should have pushed hard , used the momentum to their advantage . Instead, the ever hospitable  Indian team brought all the struggling England batsmen in to form. Bell was another batsmen struggling. India allowed him to settle down , fed hima few dollies , encouraged and cheered him on to a Century. And by day two , the Indian team had given up . Drooping shoulders , waiting for the England team to declare- just the sight you do not want to see the team doing. And when they got a chance to bat , played poorly ( give credit to that Man Moeen Ali – he is a spinner but does not spin the ball and he got the wickets ), conceded a huge lead , allowed England to bat the second time and  be set up  a target that was difficult to get to.. And a poor chase in the second innings and a remarkable turnaround and victory for England. Suddenly , their captain who was on the verge of being removed is smiling , his form is back and everyone is pleased with him. What was upsetting was the manner in which the Indian team gave up.. So easy—Not a fight

os Butler a debutant was treated so well – We missed running him out , Stumping chances – We are so good in this field of making the opponents so comfortable . Every budding cricketer should do his debut against India and they will do so well in the future. We build their careers

Can any other team do this – Nah only Indian team can do this

Well , I have not given up – in spite of the terrible performances in the last two tests ,  the ever optimist Indian supporter hopes for a victory in the final test at the Oval and that would level the series at 2 -2