Was India 'a bit hard done by weather gods' during the Test?
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Synopsis
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar discusses the significant shift in pitch conditions during Day 2 of the fourth Test. He notes how these changes affected India's performance and reflects on the match dynamics, highlighting key player performances and the overall impact of weather on play. What does this mean for the upcoming days?
Key Takeaways
- India faced challenging conditions on Day 1.
- England capitalized on improved pitch conditions.
- Rishabh Pant demonstrated remarkable resilience.
- Key wickets were crucial for India.
- Upcoming sessions are vital for both teams.
New Delhi, July 25 (NationPress) Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar shared his insights on the shifting pitch conditions during Day 2 of the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, noting that India was "a bit hard done by the weather gods" as the "pitch eased up and the skies cleared" while England batted.
India was dismissed for 358 in their first innings, highlighted by Rishabh Pant's brave return to play despite suffering from a fractured foot. In response, England's openers Ben Duckett (94) and Zak Crawley (84) set the tone with a formidable 166-run partnership.
Unfortunately, both openers fell short of centuries, falling prey to Ravindra Jadeja and debutant Anshul Kamboj. By the end of Day 2, England stood at 225/2, with Joe Root (11*) and Ollie Pope (20*) remaining unbeaten.
"This situation indicates that India was indeed hard done by the weather gods. While they batted, dark clouds loomed, and the conditions appeared challenging, resembling a black-and-white film at one point. However, today, the pitch completely transformed, and the conditions improved significantly.
"The match felt entirely different. England has the potential to score big because even someone of Jasprit Bumrah's caliber found it challenging to deliver wicket-taking deliveries on this surface. Therefore, India must be thankful for securing those two wickets when they did," Manjrekar commented on JioHotstar.
Additionally, discussing Kamboj's performance on his debut, Manjrekar expressed, "I’m thrilled for Kamboj — he displays clear potential. His bowling action is straightforward and repeatable; however, he needs to avoid delivering back of a length or good length deliveries under 130 kph. That’s a crucial area for growth. To be fair, the pitch also shifted significantly on Day 2, providing little assistance to him as well."
England cricketer Jonathan Trott evaluated England’s standing going into Day 3, emphasizing the importance of the toss. "This is where the benefit of winning the toss comes into play. At that moment, it seemed England made the right choice — and India performed admirably in the morning. However, afternoons in the UK are generally better for batting," he remarked.
"The pitch on Days 2 and 3 at Old Trafford typically offers the best batting conditions. England will aim to leverage this tomorrow. But they must remain focused — the first hour and session are critical. If India manages the new ball effectively, especially with some cloud cover like the previous mornings, they could regain momentum in the match," he concluded.
Point of View
It's crucial to acknowledge the dynamic nature of cricket, particularly how external factors like weather can significantly influence match outcomes. The changing pitch conditions during the fourth Test have certainly created a compelling narrative, one that emphasizes the need for resilience and adaptability from the teams involved. Our coverage will continue to focus on the developments, ensuring that we provide our audience with the most insightful and unbiased perspectives.
NationPress
26/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sanjay Manjrekar say about the pitch conditions?
Sanjay Manjrekar noted that India was 'a bit hard done by the weather gods,' as the pitch conditions improved significantly during England's innings.
Who were the standout performers for England on Day 2?
Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley were the standout performers for England, both contributing significantly to their innings with scores of 94 and 84, respectively.
How did the weather impact the game?
The weather played a crucial role, with dark clouds affecting India's batting conditions, while clearer skies on Day 2 provided England with better opportunities to score.
