The hosts, England, tightened their grip in the fourth India vs England Test match at Manchester, as they ended their first innings with a massive lead of 311.
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India was restricted to 358 runs in the first innings. In response, the hosts were all guns blazing, scoring a huge 669 runs in their first innings. India's ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah disappointed the Indian fans as he failed to provide a breakthrough. Former English batter, however, has now come in support of the Indian pacer.
Was Bumrah unlucky in Manchester? Former English cricketer answers
England gained complete control over the game as the English batters completely dominated the Indian bowling attack. India failed to take wickets at regular intervals, which cost them big time in the game.
India's magician Jasprit Bumrah managed to grab just 2 wickets in the innings, and that too came very late in the innings. Bumrah's first wicket came in the form of Jamie Smith in the 125th over. While the ace pacer bowled in good areas, his inability to provide breakthroughs put India down.
Former England cricketer, Jonathan Trott, analyzed Bumrah's spell on Day 3 and said that the pacer was unlucky not to get wickets. "Bumrah’s areas were pretty good, and his economy reflects that — he was just a bit unlucky," said Trott.
Trott further reflected that the lack of pressure from the other Indian bowlers was the main reason that led to Bumrah going wicketless for a long time. All the other Indian pacers except Bumrah conceded runs at an economy of more than 4.5.
"But the bigger issue is pressure from both ends. Bumrah benefits massively when there’s support at the other end, and that wasn’t the case today. When you are slightly under par as a bowling unit — like India were — control from both ends becomes crucial," added Trott.
The former English great also mentioned that had spinners bowled in tandem with Bumrah, it would have been more beneficial for the pacer. The Indian spinners were quite effective as compared to the pacers. Jadeja and Washington Sundar picked up 6 English wickets and gave runs at less than 3.8 per over.
I’d have liked to see Bumrah bowl in tandem with spin from the other end — either Washington or Kuldeep — to build pressure. But with runs constantly leaking from the opposite side, England’s batters didn’t feel the kind of pressure we have seen Bumrah create in the past,” mentioned Trott.
MORE: 'Old Trafford is a graveyard for bowlers' - Ex-England star defends Jasprit Bumrah
Meanwhile, England are on the brink of a series victory after their complete dominance over the visitors on the first three days. It would require one huge effort from India to save the Test.