Owais Shah believes India will be feeling uncomfortable heading into the second day of the fourth Test against England in Ranchi. After Ben Stokes chose to bat first, India had England struggling at 112/5 by Lunch on Day 1 (Friday, February 23). However, Joe Root‘s unbeaten 106 off 226 balls helped England recover to a comfortable 302/7 by Stumps.
I feel they would already be uncomfortable- Owais Shah on India
During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Owais Shah was asked about the point at which India could start feeling slightly uncomfortable. He said,
I feel they would already be uncomfortable because, considering where they were before Lunch, India might be thinking that they should have bowled England out close to 200. Now that they have reached 300, it’s been an excellent fightback from England.”
The former England batter added that if India fails to make early breakthroughs on the second morning, the visitors could potentially post a massive total.
Tomorrow’s morning session will be extremely crucial for India because if they don’t pick up early wickets, the first-innings score could be 350 or even 400,” Owais Shah stated.
Debutant Akash Deep starred for India in the morning session, taking 3 wickets for 70 runs. He removed Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Zak Crawley with the new ball, reducing England to 57/3. Ravichandran Ashwin (1/83) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/55) dismissed Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes respectively before Lunch, giving India the upper hand.
Need to give credit to Ben Foakes- Owais Shah
Owais Shah was also asked about England’s recovery after they were in trouble at Lunch. He answered,
I was under pressure at that stage and the England team were under even greater pressure. I was thinking that might not reach even 200. However, you need to give credit to Ben Foakes. Joe Root is a class batter in any case.”
The cricketer-turned-commentator praised Ben Foakes for his responsible batting alongside Joe Root.
The way he (Foakes) built the partnership, played with a straight bat and supported Root, he didn’t play too many big shots, neither any reverse sweeps, sweeps nor any sixes after going down the track. He built the partnership cautiously,” Owais Shah elaborated.
Root and Foakes bailed England out of trouble and took them past 300- Owais Shah
Owais Shah noted that Foakes was dismissed just as he began to accelerate his innings. Speaking regarding his dismissal Shah said,
He started playing a few shots in the over before he got. He hit a six off Ravichandran Ashwin and then two successive fours but after that, he got out in the next over. However, it was a fantastic partnership and both of them bailed England out of trouble and took them past 300.”
Root and Foakes formed a crucial 113-run partnership for the sixth wicket, stabilizing England’s innings. Root has since added another 57 runs with Ollie Robinson (31* off 60) for the eighth wicket, aiming to extend the partnership and guide the visitors beyond the 350-run mark.
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