Boria Majumdar in London
The truth is I was booked on a 10.05 am flight from Gatwick to Dubai on Monday morning and from Dubai to Kolkata. I have a pressing engagement in Delhi on the 16th, which I can’t get out of, and the idea was to spend a day at home and then fly to Delhi on the 16th.
With the RevSportz team here, I was confident of going back after Lord’s. Not anymore. After the manic Sunday, to go back on what is the deciding day appears foolish. To change tickets last minute is difficult and will cost money, but then, to be there and not finish the job stings even more. That’s when I decided to change the flight to a night one on the 14th, which will directly get me to Delhi on 15th afternoon. I will be in time for the event on the 16th and also spend three days at home seeing my daughter Aisha, before I get back to Manchester on the 20th.
The truth is, all of this is for Test cricket. Had it been a T20 competition or a 50-over white ball event, I’d never have done any of the above. This is what cricket is and this is what you want to watch and cover. This is spectacle at its best and the intensity of it all is riveting. As a scribe who loves sport, this is where you want to be and belong. All of this influenced the call and it will mean that RevSportz continues to cover the series till the very end with maximum passion.
At no point on Sunday could you take your eyes of the action on the field. Not many runs were scored and yet, every ball was drama. Both teams were coming at each other with utmost intensity and it was premium Test cricket. A packed house at the home of cricket added to the occasion and by the end of the day, we were all exhausted from what we had seen. Honestly, it was tough to digest. The way the pendulum swung, the change in momentum, all of it added to the intrigue.
Going into the final day, both teams will believe they can do the job. For India, Akash Deep managed to protect KL Rahul and even though he was bowled, the job had been done. If India do go on to win this, the Akash Deep move could be the game changer. England, on the other hand, will believe they still have 15 overs with this harder ball for maximum impact. In these overs, they need Rishabh Pant and Rahul. Once that is accomplished, this could well be their game.
On Monday, India need one hour of Pant. That’s all it will take. And with him, it is indeed possible. He has a solid defence and will not be overawed by the occasion. With Rahul for company, the stage is set for Pant. And for me personally, it will mean much to see India win after doing all that I have to stay on in London for 12 more hours!
Check out how the third game has turned into a riveting contest.
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