A Pathetic Tale of India's Batting

Spinning track, Green top, Under-Prepared wicket - India have tried everything to dominate England - everything except batting, bowling and fielding well! And the results are there for everyone to see. The pathetic and sorry state of the Indian batting continued and they were left gasping for breath by an inspirational spell of top quality swing bowling from James Anderson. At stumps on Day 2, India had limped to 87/4, still trailing England by 243 runs.

If ever India needed Virender Sehwag to fire, it was today. But James Anderson had slightly different plans. He produced a scorcher to go past the defense of the Nawab of Najafgarh, cleaning him up for a duck off the third ball of the innings.

Gambhir wanted to make a statement after coming in for a lot of criticism from various quarters for his 'selfish' batting in Kolkata. He looked to be aggressive and hit a few delightful cover drives to the boundary. The southpaw danced down the track and attacked Monty Panesar, smashing him for a four over his head, clearly trying to upset England's ace spinner early in his spell. Pujara, meanwhile was solid in defense at the other end. India went into Tea on 32/1.


The real drama unfolded in the last session. The Indian pair began well post Tea. They were now growing in confidence and looked at ease against the English bowlers. They were picking up the ones and twos, milking the bowling and getting the occasional boundary. They soon brought up the 50 run stand for the 2nd wicket.


Then out of the blue, Graeme Swann got one to turn and bounce and got Pujara caught at short leg - replays showed the batsman hadn't gloved the ball and it had come off his elbow - an unlucky departure for Pujara. India were reduced to 59/2. Sachin Tendulkar walked in to a standing ovation. He was welcomed by two absolute rippers by Monty Panesar.
The nightmare and the horror continued for the Little Master when he was cleaned up by an absolute scorcher by James Anderson - the ball reverse swinging, keeping a touch low, beating the little man's defense and crashing into the stumps. Tendulkar was caught in the crease, playing neither forward nor back. There was a deathly silence in the stadium.


 England were on top now. Anderson was again in the midst of an inspiring spell. India was in deep trouble at 64 for 3.


Gautam Gambhir was no where near his best but was fighting it out in the middle. He had reached a patient and gutsy 37 before he became James Anderson's 3rd victim - paying the price for flirting with a swinging delivery outside the off-stump, getting an outside edge for an easy catch to Prior. India were in dire straights at 71/4. Anderson had produced the most outstanding spell of genuine high quality swing bowling. Dhoni and Kohli survived a few anxious moments and took the home team to 87/4 at stumps on Day 2. They still trailed England by a massive 243 runs.


Joe Root and James Anderson had been the stand-out performers for England on the day. India had been bruised and battered and completely outplayed. The Indian batsmen had once again failed to deliver and once again it had been that familiar and collective collapse, as if they had accepted their fate and were now just going through the motions.
The first target for the hosts would be to save the follow on.

The writing is on the wall and it does not read pretty. India need some magic from somewhere and the time is running out. Its now or never!


Mmh now I think its time for the indian managment to sit down and think about this.. One thing is clear for sure.. They are lacking in something.. But HOW can they solve this to avoid this kind of losses..

Hume laga tha India ke liye England se ye badla lena ka acha mooka hai.. 
Lekin yahan phir wohi ho raha hai joh Engalnd main huwa tha :lost: