Boria Majumdar at Edgbaston
There are two results possible. A draw and an Indian win.
While some might argue why did India not declare earlier, I don’t have a problem with their approach. They made sure that England were given just enough overs tonight for the two premier fast bowlers to have a crack at them and then come back and do it again with a newish ball tomorrow morning. The blows dealt by Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep vindicated this stand.
The Dukes will do something till about 30 overs or so and England did bowl well today morning under overcast conditions. Amid predictions for a chilly and overcast Sunday, India would have wanted the ball to stay relatively new for one more go at the English tomorrow. That seemed the game plan and that’s what they did. This way, they will also have access to the second new ball early into the third session of the last day and that could be the final roll of the dice for India.
Despite having lost the toss, India bossed the Test all through, barring the period dominated by Harry Brook and Jamie Smith. The visitors have retained their edge. Now, they need to be disciplined and passionate for one more day. While the wicket hasn’t deteriorated, the scoreboard pressure and English arrogance means India will have a chance.
This is the real Test for Bazball. Do you still show arrogance and come after this total as Brook had said a day earlier, or do you respect the conditions and bat out for a draw. Shubman Gill has put all the questions in front of Ben Stokes, while he has scripted himself into history. A tally of 430 runs for the match and it could well be that the India captain scores 1,000 runs in the five-match series.
It is also about mind games. Make England play a brand of cricket they hate, which is a draw, or let them do something which has never happened before. Either way, the English now know that on flat batting decks, the Indians are just too good. And this approach of whatever happens we will chase it down and win isn’t working for them anymore.
A win without Jasprit Bumrah will be historic. A draw will mean Edgbaston wasn’t as bad and India go to Lord’s knowing they have a chance. Either way, we have an intriguing Day 5 on the cards.
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