Mohali: Mohali Test was always going to be a crucial one, more crucial to the visiting team because they had already gone 0-1 down in the series and could not afford another loss. As the match progressed, England missed its opportunities and lost their control over the match, but for the first two, two and a half days England were very well in the game, and could have even gone on to win the Test.
But the Indian team played well when it mattered the most. Indian bowlers bowled tremendously well and then Indian lower order made invaluable contributions with the bat which was perhaps the most decisive moment in the game. Let’s have a look at the hits and flops from Mohali Test.
India
Hits
Ravindra Jadeja stands out with his man-of-the-match all round performance. His 90 with the bat in the first innings set the tune for India’s victory and add to that his vital contribution with the bowl -- 4 wickets in 2 innings and the rate with which he bowls them gives the batsman very little time to anticipate what he is bowling. Long story short, that’s exactly what is expected from ‘Sir Jadeja’.
Also Read: Ashwin-Jadeja will be key to India’s bowling attack against England
2. Parthiv Patel
The come-back man scored over 100 runs in the match and did decently behind the stumps as well. If he can continue this way for the next few Tests, he might very well become a first-choice keeper for the Indian Team.
Flops
1. Ajinkya Rahane
Rahane’s dismal show in the series continued. Until now Rahane is averaging just over 12 in 5 innings. When it comes from a man whose career average is above 50, you can sense that he is struggling. But one good innings is all that is needed for him to come back and play like the Rahane we know and associate with.
2. M. Vijay
After his Rajkot Test success, Murali Vijay hasn’t converted his starts into big innings. India’s success generally depends on its Test Specialists Rahane, Vijay and Pujara (because Virat Kohli is exceptional in all three formats of the game) and when only one of them is performing quite consistently it leaves a lot for the lower order to do and that’s exactly what happened at Mohali. Murali Vijay needs to come to his own and with Parthiv looking good at the top for now, solve India’s opening riddle.
England
Hits
1. Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow
The duo has been somewhat consistent in their run getting. Most of the times Bairstow has run of partners and Joe Root has got out when the team least afforded it and that’s why both the times these two players have found themselves on the losing side. They must continue their good performances with the bat in the remaining two Tests and try and take the game away from the opposition.
2. Adil Rashid
Whenever England team have strived for a breakthrough, Adil Rashid has delivered most of the time and broken key partnerships taken important wickets that has had a tremendous effect on the way the match has progressed from then on. Adil Rashid once again bowled well at Mohali and managed 4/118. In fact nine wickets were taken by him and Ben Stokes alone, the other one being run out.
Flops
1. Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali although looked extremely well in his short stay in both the innings, especially in the first, he tried to be over aggressive and that’s what led to his downfall. Had he played as per the merit and waited for the lose deliveries and capitalized on them, it would have been a different story altogether. Moeen Ali still remains a vital member of the team because of the balance he brings giving the skipper another spinning option.
2. Alastair Cook
England are missing the Cook who came to India four years ago. Although Cook is good in this series as well, but he isn’t his best and can Cook deliver his best that’s the question he must ask himself and try and sort out England’s problems. If Cook comes good, England become a massive force and a very tough opponent to beat.
