Trisha Ghosal in Manchester
India were batted out of the contest and possibly the series after England crossed 500, handing the visitors a bruising day in the field. Bowling coach Morne Morkel faced the media post-play and tried to explain a number of contentious decisions and performances.
Why Was Washington Sundar Used So Late?
Morkel admitted the call was tactical. “Shubman (Gill) made the call to stick longer with the seamers,” he said. “Washie did a great job when he came on, but we didn’t bowl enough good balls early to justify spin.”
Why Is Kuldeep Yadav Still Benched?
A question that dominated the presser. “Kuldeep is world-class and bowling really well. But it’s about balance. We want a longer batting line-up, especially after past collapses. We’re trying to find a way to bring him in,” Morkel said.
Is the New-Look Pace Attack Ready?
With debutant Anshul Kamboj struggling and Jasprit Bumrah injured mid-day, questions about depth and rotation were inevitable. “This five-Test series is exposing the gap in our experience. We’re building a core group of fast bowlers but it’s a phase we need to work through,” he said.
Was Anshul Kamboj Ready?
Morkel didn’t dodge it. “He was quicker in domestic and India A games. He’s fully fit, just couldn’t hit the same speeds here. It’s a learning curve and there’s no place to hide at this level.”
Was It a Mistake Not Playing Four Wicket-Taking Bowlers?
“We’ve discussed all options,” Morkel said. “Yes, four attacking bowlers could reduce the runs we need. But the spin options have done well in recent matches, and we’ve come close to wins. It’s about trust and roles.”
Did India Bowl Too Greedily on Day One?
“Execution was poor,” Morkel admitted bluntly. “We leaked runs on both sides. Plans were in place, but we didn’t stick to them. The pitch offered little help, and we lacked energy.”
Any Worries About Bumrah and Siraj?
“Both had niggles — Bumrah rolled his ankle on stairs, Siraj hurt his foot in the footholds. They seem okay. We pushed them because they had the pace and energy we lacked elsewhere.”
India now face an uphill task. The questions are mounting and the answers aren’t getting any more convincing.
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