Could Siraj's Dropped Catch Cost India the 5th Test?

London, Aug 3 (NationPress) Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting remarked that Mohammed Siraj dropping a catch off Harry Brook when he was on 19 could have significant implications for the outcome of the fifth Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test. He emphasized that the Indian pacer did not need to move to secure the catch.

During the initial delivery of the 35th over, Brook received a critical lifeline at 19 when Siraj, having just returned to the field after a brief absence, attempted to catch the ball in the deep off Prasidh Krishna. Unfortunately, while trying to secure the catch, the pacer inadvertently stepped on the boundary cushion, allowing a six to be scored.

"What was he thinking? He wasn't thinking at all... He didn't have to move to take the catch, so how costly might that be? Brook is still in and reads the bowlers so well. He approaches a Test match as if he were reading a bowler in a T20 format," Ponting shared during a lunch broadcast on Sky Sports.

Ravi Shastri, the former head coach of India, believes that the dropped catch will motivate Siraj when it’s his turn to bowl in the second session. "How much fuel does Siraj have left in him?" he questioned.

"Without him, this series would have been over and done with. He has kept India in contention, and he needs a strong performance this afternoon. That missed catch will likely spur him on, and I expect him to give his all," Shastri stated.

At lunch, England stood at 164/3 in 38 overs, needing 210 more runs to secure victory in the match and the series. Brook remained unbeaten on a counter-attacking 38 and had formed an unbroken 58-run partnership with Joe Root, who was not out at 23. Shastri noted that Brook was emulating the aggressive batting style of Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant.

"That session showcased Test cricket at its finest. The first hour was cautious with excellent bowling and active discussions among players, while fielders were engaging with the batters. India managed to take a couple of wickets, but then came the counter-attack," he added.

"In this ebb and flow of the game, England seized the momentum. Harry Brook played like Rishabh Pant. I appreciated his anticipation. It was obvious he aimed to score runs and disrupt the opposition," he explained.

Ponting noted that the match remained finely balanced after a shared first session. "I believe it’s honours even. England has scored quickly, Brook is aggressive at the crease, and we know they have naturally attacking players. With 210 runs needed to win, the game is very much alive," he concluded.