India extended its domination on Day four of the ongoing Test match at Trent Bridge against England. After giving a huge target to the hosts, the visitors were able to jolt the England innings with early blows.
Ishant Sharma gave the perfect start to the tourists as he was able to produce the outside edge of Keaton Jennings to Rishabh Pant. The lanky fast bowler continued with his good work as he got the wicket of veteran Alastair Cook. In fact, southpaw batsman woes continued as Sharma sent back both the openers in the hunt.
Indian bowlers were right on the money.
England skipper Joe Root and Ollie Pope were able to show some resistance after losing two quick wickets. The right-handed pair put together an alliance of 30 runs. However, England once again lost two wickets in a jiffy.
Subsequently, England skipper was taken nicely by KL Rahul who has impressed with slip catching in this Test match. Soon after, Root’s dismissal Ollie Pope was also sent back when Indian captain Virat Kohli took a blinder of a catch.
India’s slip catching was on fire.
However, debutant Rishabh Pant fluffed a chance when Jos Buttler edge was produced by Mohammed Shami. Pant moved to his left with the momentum and as the ball kissed the outside edge, the Indian rookie wicketkeeper could not move swiftly to take a low catch to his right.
Thus, India is in a commanding position as they dominated the whole opening session before Lunch. Barring a bungled catch of Rishabh Pant, the Indian slip cordon was at the top of their game. Furthermore, the bowlers also hit the right areas to produce the chances.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the first session on Day Four.
The slip catching has improved by leaps and bounds, and it should be the biggest positive for team India.
Four wickets down, as India gears up for the maiden win in England Tests. #ENGvIND
— ?????? ????? (@GautamSodhi1) August 21, 2018
Indian fast bowlers bowling faster than English pacers. Indian slip catching better than England’s. Tide has turned…and how. ?? #EngvInd
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 21, 2018
Rishabh Pant is the first Indian WK to effect six dismissals on Test debut.
Naren Tamhane, Kiran More, Nayan Mongia & Naman Ojha all effected five dismissals each. #ENGvIND— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) August 21, 2018
Most wickets by Asian bowlers outside Asia since 2014
Ishant Sharma – 65* @ 28.46
M Shami – 63 @ 32.50
Yasir Shah – 52 @ 39.53
M Amir – 49 @ 29.89
Herath – 48 @ 36.25#ENGvIND— JSK (@imjsk27) August 21, 2018
KL Rahul should play just for his slip catching. Seems most reliable slip fielder apart from Ajinkya Rahane. #EngvInd
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) August 21, 2018
Ashwin injury is more serious than Bairstow, who is more gusty? Ashwin is bowling and Bairstow relaxing in dressing room #ENGvIND
— Sanjay Tank ✈ (@SanjaySTank) August 21, 2018
India have been amazing in slip this match. Some wonderful catches #ENGvIND
— Deepak Kumar (@imdk25) August 21, 2018
England didn’t get bowled out in a session. Gave it a go, but held firm. Calling that progress #ENGvIND
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) August 21, 2018
Something clearly needs to change within the @englandcricket set-up. Persistent failure over a number of years, particularly in the batting department, masked by brief successes – we'd won 3 tests in a row before this travesty at #TrentBridge – we have to figure it out #ENGvIND
— Sam Raffal (@SamRaffal) August 21, 2018
Remember a few weeks ago when people genuinely thought Root was better than Kohli?? Laughable. #cricket #ENGvIND
— Cory Stobart (@CoryStobart) August 21, 2018
How pleasing to see KL Rahul the slip fielder.
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) August 21, 2018