Day 4 Preview in Fifth Test between IND and ENG: India Seems More Optimistic, According to Sanjay Bangar's Views
India concluded the fourth Test with a draw, leaving the series poised at 1-1, but with India holding a strong position going into the decisive fifth Test. The cricket played throughout the match was good overall, with both teams showcasing their skills.
India scored an impressive 396 runs in the second innings, setting England a challenging 374-run target to win the series. The Indian batting lineup was anchored by Akash Deep, who scored a gritty half-century, the third highest score by an Indian nightwatchman in Test cricket. His partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal was crucial in India's second innings performance, with Jaiswal's contribution being immense.
On the bowling front, the Indian seamers, particularly Akash Deep and Prasidh, made life difficult for the English batters. They employed imaginative field placements, such as having a sweeper cover for Zak Crawley and a deeper square leg for Duckett, which made the batters think about their scoring opportunities. Akash Deep took an early wicket against England in the very first over, and later, Zak Crawley was bowled by Mohammed Siraj on the last ball of the third day, leaving England 324 runs away from the target with nine wickets in hand.
Sanjay Bangar, the Indian coach, credited the Indian bowlers for not allowing England batters to run away with the game and for dismissing Crawley. He praised Akash Deep for his thoughtful batting and ability to play like a proper batsman. Akash Deep wasn't afraid of the short ball and took his chances when the field was up, defended when the field was back, and ran well between the wickets.
Bangar views India as having a strong position and advantage going into the fifth Test. He believes India has key positives, notably the freshness of their seam bowlers and the pressure on England’s lower-order batsmen to chase a challenging target, which could help India level the series 2-2. If India wins the match, the series will be tied 2-2.
The cricket being played was good overall, with both teams showcasing their skills. However, Bangar's assessment is that the fifth Test will be a tight contest but with India holding the advantage due to their bowling attack’s energy and ability to apply psychological pressure on England during the crucial moments.
Akash Deep's gritty half-century and thoughtful batting have been crucial for India in the ongoing series, especially considering the importance of the fifth Test, which is a football match for India in terms of their chance to level the series. The Indian bowling attack, with players like Akash Deep and Prasidh, has been making life difficult for England, employing imaginative field placements to limit scoring opportunities.
