Unusual weather in India ensured that there was an interrupted day for cricket at Mohali too. There was rain in Bombay and western parts of the country when it normally rains only in June, so it’s pretty unusual indeed. Such interruptions are always tough on the batsmen who have to start concentrating and focusing all over again and to England’s credit, they did a good job of it. Irfan Pathan’s progress as a bowler, who uses the new as well as old ball is terrific and he displayed both aspects to good effect. With the new ball, he had both openers taken and later in the day he almost got another wicket but was denied by an umpiring misjudgement. That’s of course part and parcel of the game.
Munaf Patel too, came back well after spraying the ball a bit at the start and that too is understandable for a player making his Test debut. He showed good pace and got the ball to move and got the important wicket of Pietersen who was batting well and looking to take the attack to the bowlers. Pietersen has a terrific way of facing the bowler and the balance is such that he can quickly move on either feet. It also allows him to go down the pitch if need be and with his height, it can be an intimidating sight for bowlers.
Kumble was the one he singled out for attack, as he and perhaps England believe the leggie is the danger man. It did make the bowler drop his length a bit short and stop giving the ball a bit more air. Ian bell hung in without ever looking settled and it was no surprise that he didn’t read a straight-one from Kumble and was bowled offering no shot to that ball.
India rang the team changes bringing in two guys to make their debut and while Munaf Patel got his name in the score books, Piyush Chawla had to wait. His time will surely come before the Test is over, unless of course the freak weather curtails play in the game. The decision to go in with five bowlers is to be lauded, as India had found at Nagpur that they weren’t able to bowl England out and so needed a bit of variety. That’s why R.P Singh missed out, as India went in with a right and left hand opening bowling combo.
Dropping Kaif would have been a tough call but it shows that Dravid is prepared to do what he feels is good for the team and that’s a trait that the skipper has displayed ever since he was a stand-in captain too and it’s an admirable one too. It may not be easy to juggle around with five bowlers especially on a rain curtailed day but at least he will know that he has the options and there’s always Tendulkar and Sehwag to bowl their little twirlers that have often broken partnerships.
England will be looking to capitalize on the advantage of winning the toss by putting enough on the board so that they don’t have to bat on a fourth day pitch. Although it was expected to be a bouncier one than at Nagpur it’s not a pitch where batsmen will have sleepless nights. Rather, if they bat sensibly, they can carry their bed and baggage on the pitch and stay there for as long as they like. It’s that kind of wicket.
