Is it a job well done if India bowls out England for under 300?

London, July 10 (NationPress) The esteemed leg-spinner Anil Kumble opines that limiting England to under 300 runs would mark a commendable performance by the Indian bowling unit on the opening day of the third Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Lord’s.

At the lunch break, England stood at 83/2 after 25 overs, with Joe Root (24 not out) and Ollie Pope (12 not out) contributing to an unbroken 39-run partnership, following the early dismissals of openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley by Nitish Kumar Reddy.

“Both teams are likely satisfied with how the session played out. India may feel they had a missed opportunity to secure another wicket, particularly after the two early breakthroughs. What stood out was that the success didn’t come from Bumrah, Akash Deep, or Siraj — it was Nitish Kumar Reddy who made a significant impact by taking two important wickets,” Kumble noted.

“Looking ahead, the slip fielding will be crucial. The bounce and pace have not been constant — the ball has not always reached the keeper cleanly — so India must remain sharp in the slips. This pitch requires patience rather than sheer aggression to dismiss teams. If India can get England out for under 300, it would be considered a job well done,” Kumble stated during his analysis on JioHotstar.

He also acknowledged Reddy for his unexpected influence during the first session. “His length and high-arm action were critical factors in his success. On this surface, a bowler like Jofra Archer can be quite dangerous, and Nitish showcased some of that potential,” he added.

“The slope at Lord’s aids in moving the ball away from left-handers, which unfortunately cost Duckett twice. As for Crawley’s dismissal, it was a stunning delivery — he executed the length and line perfectly, and it just moved enough off the pitch to catch the edge.”

Kumble further discussed Bumrah’s spell in the initial session, mentioning that he was unfortunate not to have taken a wicket. “He was trying to counter the slope, possibly pushing too hard for away movement. He was creating shape, particularly against left-handers, but the line was slightly off — too wide, allowing the batters ample time to decide,” Kumble remarked.

“With Bumrah, there is always inherent pressure as he is the spearhead. I believe that after lunch, he will be more relaxed, bowling fuller and targeting the stumps more effectively. He was quite unlucky this morning — England could have lost a couple of early wickets to both him and Akash Deep.”

When asked about strategies to separate Root and Pope in the second session, Kumble replied, “Bumrah has already bowled eight overs in the first session, so managing his workload will be crucial. The lines and lengths will be vital, especially against someone like Pope. However, Root poses the real threat, and it’s essential to make him play every ball.”

“Bumrah will aim to bring the ball back in and employ a fourth-stump line to lure Root into a false shot. India should utilize Bumrah in shorter spells of three to four overs — possibly starting the session with him, ensuring the field is appropriately set. I still advocate for a gully or short point to be in place; catching positions will be pivotal,” he concluded.