Bazball failed in Rajkot when they lost their minds when in a good position and Ravi Ashwin absent on day three. But Bazball cannot be blamed for this defeat. England batted at 3.3 and 2.6 an over in their two innings. By applying classic Test match batting Joe Root resurrected the first day after a juicy morning when India expertly maximised the pitch’s moisture, but made 11 in the second when England needed a senior player to set the target out of India’s reach.
Where the game was lost was day three when the limitations of England’s attack were exposed by Jurel, who inspired the last three to add 130. Robinson’s wishy-washy four over spell of military medium pace, which included three no balls, and a loosener of 66mph set a flabby tone.
His drop of Jurel on 59 was poor and costly, India adding another 26 runs for the ninth wicket, crucial in the final wash up of the game. Robinson had not played in eight months and needed some cricket first but lacks the desire to make the most of his talent. Time to cut the rope.
Robinson did not bowl on day four, banished to the outer. Instead Stokes opened with Anderson and Bashir as he should have done the night before when England shipped 40 cheap runs with Joe Root and Hartley attacked by Rohit Sharma and Jaiswal.
India eased another 44 onto their overnight total, looking in control before Root bowled for a change of ends and Jaiswal’s eyes lit up. He sliced a drive to backward point where Anderson dived forward to take a good catch.
Hartley ran one past Rohit, who was caught behind but also stumped by Foakes for good measure. The pressure was now up a notch and Bashir was bowling beautifully, switching from over and round the wicket and not bowling a bad ball. He was building a spell like an old master. Rajat Patidar was out for a duck, edging to short leg, where Pope had moved slightly round the corner because of the bounce Bashir was extracting.
