Recent Match Report – India vs England 2nd Test 2021

Good morning, and welcome back to the Live Report! Some stunning cricket yesterday has put this match in a tantalising position – India are 154 ahead with four wickets in hand, which we would have looked at as a complete win for England going by the pitch on the first three days. Yesterday has shown that might not be quite the case. England have bowled superbly throughout this innings and at no point have let India come close to dictating the pace. The one man who is capable of attempting that – Rishabh Pant – is still at the crease though, and as ever during his short career, he will make our imaginations run.

But try not to get ahead of yourself; nothing about this situation is conducive to another Pant blockbuster. The pitch has slowed down, it’s showing variable bounce, and England have figured out at least three or four different ways of bowling at India this innings. They’ve challenged the edge, they’ve challenged the front pad, they’ve bowled short, they’ve got a left-arm bowler, and they’ve bowled spin – all with success. Yes, there is Pant, but there is also India’s tail. Most importantly, it is almost certain this day begins with the second new ball in Anderson’s hand.