At the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, on day four of the current 4th Test, England’s young off-spinner Shoaib Bashir is confident he will ruin India’s run chase.
Despite India making ground in the pursuit of 192 on Day 4 of the fourth Test in Ranchi, England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir hasn’t ruled out victory for his side. Bashir thinks that the spinners should be able to take 10 wickets if the surface is getting worse or more difficult.
While acknowledging that the English spinners have a difficult assignment ahead of them, Bashir, who amassed a five-for (5/119) in the first inning and was instrumental in securing a 46-run lead for the tourists, remains optimistic about outplaying the hosts. India took the opportunity by beginning Day 3 at 219–7 rather than giving up a lead of well over 100.
But Dhruv Jurel’s 90 reduced the deficit to just 46. India’s comeback with the ball was led by Ravichandran Ashwin’s fifer, as the hosts set an achievable target of 192 to win. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma played well together, reducing the target by 40 runs.
“On that wicket, anything is possible”- Shoaib Bashir opens up on prospect of England’s win
Following the day’s action, Bashir talked to TNT Sports and said:
“Yeah, look, we would have liked to have got one or two wickets in that last period, but me and Harts [Tom Hartley] know we got a job to do tomorrow. Ten opportunities to take ten wickets, and on that wicket anything is possible.”
The Indian spinners were too good, and even though the visitors had a respectable 46-run advantage, only Zak Crawley was able to surpass 50. Kuldeep Yadav bagged four wickets in addition to Ashwin’s fifer to aid England be dismissed for 145.
“Want to dedicate this to my two late granddads” – Shoaib Bashir on his maiden fifer
After taking a fifer in just his second Test match, Shoaib Bashir praised Ben Stokes and the other players for fostering an environment in the dressing room that makes everyone feel good. He stated:
“I used to see these guys when I was a little kid. So to be in that dressing room, they give you so much confidence. Stokesy and the lads are brilliant, even if that’s to go out to bat as well. It just gets the best out of you, and it’s just a wonderful group to be a part of.”
Shoaib Bashir was pretty emotional after bagging his maiden five-wicket haul in the red-ball format and dedicated it to his two late granddads , who were both passionate cricket supporters.
“I just want to dedicate this to my two late granddads who passed away a year and a bit ago. They used to watch Test cricket all the time on TV, sitting in front of the TV on the couch. And their wish was to watch me play, and that didn’t happen. So yeah, it was quite emotional, but I’m grateful,” Bashir expressed.