India on top in the 3rd Test, finish Day 1 on 99/3 after bowling England out for 112 in Ahmedabad

**BreadPakoda** · 24th February 2021, 22:41

Originally Posted by dildilpak

I know it makes great optics, but I genuinely haven’t enjoyed any pink ball test so far. There is hardly any contest - its too much loaded in favor of the home team, plus it has more complications in the sub-continent with the dew factor etc. Not a big fan.

Originally Posted by MP2011

Agree with this. I'm a traditionalist and enjoy day tests only. These DN tests are for those who aren't test connoisseurs anyway, so nothing to be gained by trying to sell test cricket to these guys!

Agree with both of you. Add the impact of twilight period and its more of a lottery than a game of skill.

**Last Monetarist** · 24th February 2021, 22:44

Originally Posted by MP2011

Agree with this. I'm a traditionalist and enjoy day tests only. These DN tests are for those who aren't test connoisseurs anyway, so nothing to be gained by trying to sell test cricket to these guys!

I disagree. I am a traditionalist that loathes white ball cricket, but think there's a lot of value in day-night test cricket. Unfortunately, they have managed it well only in Australia thus far. It will take some time to get the formula right in the subcontinent, but think it can be successful in India at least.

**Last Monetarist** · 24th February 2021, 22:51

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2042816

Indian spinners Axar Patel and R Ashwin tormented England on day one of the third Test to leave the home side in the driving seat in Ahmedabad.

It was an eventful start to a high-stakes third Test at the brand new stadium in Ahmedabad, as India and England went head-to-head in the pink-ball affair with the focus on the ICC World Test Championship final's berth.

India's spin-bowling duo of Axar Patel and R Ashwin shared nine wickets between them. Patel, who starred on his Test debut in the previous game in Chennai with a five-wicket haul, returned better figures in the ongoing Test – 6/38 – while Ashwin chipped in with three scalps as India bowled England out for 112 late in the second session.

The home side lost Virat Kohli in the final over of the day, reaching stumps on 99/3 with Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane at the crease having earlier lost Shubman Gill (11) and Cheteshwar Pujara (0) to Jofra Archer and Jack Leach, respectively, in the space of six deliveries.

Earlier, England skipper Joe Root won the toss and opted to bat. Their opening stand once again didn't last for long as Dom Sibley was removed for a duck in the third over by Ishant Sharma, who was making his 100th Test appearance. The India paceman induced an edge with an outside-off delivery, tempting the batsman as the ball flew off the bat, into the hands of second slip fielder, Sharma.

But Sibley's partner, Zak Crawley looked confident at the crease from the start and dealt with the moving pink ball without much trouble. He continued to find regular gaps in the next few overs and kept the scoreboard ticking. England lost another wicket on the first ball of the seventh over when Axar Patel had Jonny Bairstow trapped in front for a duck, and that brought Root at the crease.

Crawley and Root steadied the innings and batted with caution. The opener brought up his fourth Test fifty with a four at cover point, reaching the mark in 68 balls. To England's dismay, the steady 47-run third-wicket stand was broken when Ashwin dismissed Root lbw for 17 while in the penultimate over of the first session, Patel had dismissed Crawley in a similar fashion, reducing the visitors to 81/4 by tea.

The spin-bowling duo of Patel and Ashwin wreaked havoc in the second session. England got off to another shaky start, losing two important wickets of Ollie Pope (1) and Ben Stokes (6) in back-to-back overs just after the tea break. Only Ben Foakes (12) and Archer (11) scored in double-digits as the rest of the line-up plummeted.

Patel caused the major damage, claiming his second five-wicket haul in his second Test appearance. England were eventually bowled out for 112. India openers Rohit and Gill survived the remaining five overs of the second session and took their side to 5/0 at Dinner.

Gill was the first Indian wicket to fall as he attempted to pull Archer but topped edged it in the sky for Crawley to claim. Five balls later Pujara followed, trapped for a duck by a straight delivery which skidded on from Leach.

Sharma, having survived a tight lbw call earlier on, plundered himself a half-century of 63 balls, bringing up the mark off Stokes' bowling with a tidy flick through mid-wicket, reaching stumps at 57 not-out.

Kohli had been given a lifeline on 24 when a straightforward catch was put down by Pope at point, but Leach claimed the wicket of the Indian skipper when he cut a ball outside off onto his stumps, ending the 64-run third-wicket partnership he and Sharma had built.

**Savak** · 24th February 2021, 23:15

England have been brutally exposed by India in this series. For me right now India is the best side in the world, you can't be the best side in the world if you can't perform outside your comfort zone

**JaDed** · 24th February 2021, 23:25

Pink ball test is nonsense what was this effort from English batsmen you won the toss in India and yet weren't able to make anything of it after being 74/2?

Unfortunate from Pujara, he needs to stay, again we are dependent upon Pant,Sundar,Ash to get us out of trouble, have no faith in Jinx.

**Artaxerxes** · 25th February 2021, 00:40

Touring teams struggle against India in India.It must be Indian pitches because Indian spinners are not potent outside India.

**Napa** · 25th February 2021, 01:18

Originally Posted by Artaxerxes

Touring teams struggle against India in India.It must be Indian pitches because Indian spinners are not potent outside India.

Jadeja averaged 15 and Ashwin 28.8 in the last series in Australia. Axar probably would not have done any worse.

https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...ng;view=series
https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...ng;view=series

**Ab Fan** · 25th February 2021, 03:01

Stokes has been a biggest disappointment of this series for England. Aside of 82 in first test, he has done nothing of worth. Overall, average performance from him.

**jnaveen1980** · 25th February 2021, 03:03

The guy who handled Ajmal/Mendis much better has become weaker against spin. Not sure if it has something to do with lack of participation in domestic cricket.

**wrongun** · 25th February 2021, 03:20

Originally Posted by Last Monetarist

I disagree. I am a traditionalist that loathes white ball cricket, but think there's a lot of value in day-night test cricket. Unfortunately, they have managed it well only in Australia thus far. It will take some time to get the formula right in the subcontinent, but think it can be successful in India at least.

It did take a couple of years to figure out the correct adjustments to wicket & outfield to make the Adelaide Test work.

It also relies on groundsmen- showing goodwill to produce the best wicket for a pink ball Test, rather than the easiest wicket for the home team to win.

I would like to say that isn't a slander on this pitch. It was on middle of the night here so I haven't watched a ball & it may take the curator a couple of tries to adjust.

It may also just have been how play unfolded on the day.

**wrongun** · 25th February 2021, 03:23

What colour is the seam on the SG Pink Ball?

Kookaburra have found the colour of the seam makes an enormous difference to top level batsmen having a decent chance to perceive swing & seam position in flight. I imagine seam visibility is extra important when reading spinners in SC.

**wrongun** · 25th February 2021, 03:24

Originally Posted by Artaxerxes

Touring teams struggle against India in India.It must be Indian pitches because Indian spinners are not potent outside India.

Really? All the Indian spinners played well in Australia, especially Ashwin but Washington & Jadeja also had some excellent innings.

**wrongun** · 25th February 2021, 03:26

Originally Posted by Savak

England have been brutally exposed by India in this series. For me right now India is the best side in the world, you can't be the best side in the world if you can't perform outside your comfort zone

I agree. I don't think English batting is quite as strong as their 2005 teams overall.

I also think they made a huge tactical blunder with team selection. No need for that many quicks when even in a pink ball Test, there's really only one session they would ever need 3 seamers & Stokes is more than capable of being that 3rd seamer. Should still have played 2 genuine spinners.

**Buffet** · 25th February 2021, 04:58

Originally Posted by wrongun

I agree. I don't think English batting is quite as strong as their 2005 teams overall.

I also think they made a huge tactical blunder with team selection. No need for that many quicks when even in a pink ball Test, there's really only one session they would ever need 3 seamers & Stokes is more than capable of being that 3rd seamer. Should still have played 2 genuine spinners.

Playing 3 pacers with Stokes there was very weird. Batting does look fragile unless a pitch is a total road. It was very poor batting to get out with 100 odd runs. Pitch was not really doing that much.

**Hyperion66** · 25th February 2021, 05:27

Originally Posted by Last Monetarist

I disagree. I am a traditionalist that loathes white ball cricket, but think there's a lot of value in day-night test cricket. Unfortunately, they have managed it well only in Australia thus far. It will take some time to get the formula right in the subcontinent, but think it can be successful in India at least.

This.

I do not loathe white ball cricket though

**CrIc_Mystique** · 25th February 2021, 06:57

Originally Posted by James

IÂ’m angry. That was one of EnglandÂ’s poorest days of Test cricket in a while.

The botched team selection, the strange tactics, the general lack of effort, the childish attitudes, the innocuous and trundling bowling, the lazy fielding, the terrible catching, and particularly the cowardly and disastrous batting were all really, really disappointing.

Only Leach and Crawley amongst EnglandÂ’s players have emerged with any degree of credit from the day.

Stokes, Bairstow, Broad and Root (essentially the most senior of the England players) seemed to be on particularly dreadful form throughout the day Â— both personally and professionally. They had faces like thunder and were arguing with the match officials over the smallest things. I am not sure if theyÂ’re tired of touring, struggling in the bubble, or otherwise feeling sore about something, but they have genuinely embarrassed themselves out there today.

As an aside, the TV Umpire is making a few overly hasty decisions on potentially incomplete evidence. He requires some prompt verbal feedback from the Match Referee and needs to get his act together quickly.

Today, in the end, belonged to Team India. Credit to them. Axar, Rohit (again) and Ashwin (yet again) performed brilliantly.

India is one more dominant session away from making the game (and also the series) virtually unassailable. India can truly go on and humiliate England if they play their cards right tomorrow.

Massive session in the morning. Huge.

Good honest analysis m8...
However, how about commenting on the rest and relaxation/rotation whatever its called policy...
moin should have been in there bowling....
How can u go with 4 quicks.....unless its a green mamba of a wicket and the conditions overhead are decidedly artic...
and yeah...England's body language, intensity levels were left much to be desired, that bairstow review was total devoid of cranium
the positives - I felt Crawley was brilliant, what a pleasure to watch him,...a right handed David gower ....
I feel Foakes is on the cusp of achieving something special...he is one for the future....
I feel its all down to a & b tomorrow , if they strike , eng are in with a chance....if India get away....it will be difficult...all in all a fab contest today and tomorrow awaits us

**hoshiarpurexpress** · 25th February 2021, 07:08

Originally Posted by Pakhs

I was actually wrong seeing the last half hour and the way some balled turned square this is as much a rank turner as last one.

Regrading some balls going straight this is a skill of a bowler and obviously these bowlers know how to ball on turners. India has become a real spin heaven since Dhoni and Kholi days.

They have really promoted spin culture in the team.

Since Kohli Dhoni days??
Bhai India is a spinners nation since the times of Bedi Prasanna and Chandra. And we are proud of our spinners legacy.

**King_Kohli** · 25th February 2021, 07:13

Originally Posted by jnaveen1980

The guy who handled Ajmal/Mendis much better has become weaker against spin. Not sure if it has something to do with lack of participation in domestic cricket.

Who?

**MP2011** · 25th February 2021, 07:15

Originally Posted by Last Monetarist

I disagree. I am a traditionalist that loathes white ball cricket, but think there's a lot of value in day-night test cricket. Unfortunately, they have managed it well only in Australia thus far. It will take some time to get the formula right in the subcontinent, but think it can be successful in India at least.

If anything, DN tests won't be much of
a success in India considering how much dew is there at night in Indian stadiums.

Just like T20s where there is an artificial attempt to create buzz and excitement, there is an equally conscious attempt to create an artificial atmosphere wherein powers that be think they'll create typical test cricket environs. But sadly, conditions seem to be way too different in the nights, more so in twilight than they are in the afternoons.

Quality of pink ball in any case isn't anywhere near the traditional red ball.

**BreadPakoda** · 25th February 2021, 08:53

Originally Posted by Pakhs

Regrading some balls going straight this is a skill of a bowler and obviously these bowlers know how to ball on turners. India has become a real spin heaven since Dhoni and Kholi days.

They have really promoted spin culture in the team.

It’s Kohli and true that spinners have done well. Kohli promoted pace culture too. Indian pacers have one of the best, if not the best numbers in the world since he took over. What a guy!

**Last Monetarist** · 25th February 2021, 10:02

Originally Posted by wrongun

It did take a couple of years to figure out the correct adjustments to wicket & outfield to make the Adelaide Test work.

It also relies on groundsmen- showing goodwill to produce the best wicket for a pink ball Test, rather than the easiest wicket for the home team to win.

I would like to say that isn't a slander on this pitch. It was on middle of the night here so I haven't watched a ball & it may take the curator a couple of tries to adjust.

It may also just have been how play unfolded on the day.

This pitch isn't that bad, England just batted poorly. They tied themselves up in knots and played bad shots.

The problem with day night cricket in India, and by extension Pakistan, is dew. They will need to pinpoint grounds where dew doesn't play a significant role, or at least, be flexible enough to start the match an hour or two earlier.

**Last Monetarist** · 25th February 2021, 10:06

Originally Posted by MP2011

If anything, DN tests won't be much of
a success in India considering how much dew is there at night in Indian stadiums.

Just like T20s where there is an artificial attempt to create buzz and excitement, there is an equally conscious attempt to create an artificial atmosphere wherein powers that be think they'll create typical test cricket environs. But sadly, conditions seem to be way too different in the nights, more so in twilight than they are in the afternoons.

Quality of pink ball in any case isn't anywhere near the traditional red ball.

It's a work in progress, just as ODI cricket was at the start. I feel it's important for test cricket to create that buzz and excitement, we have to be patient till there's adequate proof of success or failure.

The first thing boards such as the BCCI need to do is earmark a test ground as exclusive host for day-night test cricket, as CA did with the Adelaide Oval. That will allow the groundsmen to create pitches and conditions that cater for the pink ball. They will need 3 or 4 matches at least to collect sufficient information on what works and what doesn't.

**Last Monetarist** · 25th February 2021, 10:11

Originally Posted by wrongun

What colour is the seam on the SG Pink Ball?

Kookaburra have found the colour of the seam makes an enormous difference to top level batsmen having a decent chance to perceive swing & seam position in flight. I imagine seam visibility is extra important when reading spinners in SC.

The colour of the seam on the SG ball is black, the same as it is on the kookaburra.

**RyanRyan10** · 25th February 2021, 11:24

Originally Posted by BreadPakoda

It’s Kohli and true that spinners have done well. Kohli promoted pace culture too. Indian pacers have one of the best, if not the best numbers in the world since he took over. What a guy!

Since Jan 2015

SA 24.43
Ind 25.66
Aus 26.80
Eng 27.48
NZ 28.67
WI 31.71
Pak 32.44
SRL 35.88
BD 53.00

Indian pacers have been second best since Kohli took over

**Romali_rotti** · 25th February 2021, 11:26

How come there are no highlights of day 1 on youtube ? Pretty pathetic by BCCI to allow highlights footage.

**Romali_rotti** · 25th February 2021, 11:29

Originally Posted by James

.

As an aside, the TV Umpire is making a few overly hasty decisions on potentially incomplete evidence. He requires some prompt verbal feedback from the Match Referee and needs to get his act together quickly.

Hey James,

I hope you are not talking about Gill catch here? There was a lot of bump to the ground on that ball, it was a fairly straight forward decision unless you are very very biased to the utmost level.

**MP2011** · 25th February 2021, 11:30

Originally Posted by Last Monetarist

It's a work in progress, just as ODI cricket was at the start. I feel it's important for test cricket to create that buzz and excitement, we have to be patient till there's adequate proof of success or failure.

The first thing boards such as the BCCI need to do is earmark a test ground as exclusive host for day-night test cricket, as CA did with the Adelaide Oval. That will allow the groundsmen to create pitches and conditions that cater for the pink ball. They will need 3 or 4 matches at least to collect sufficient information on what works and what doesn't.

This I completely agree with.

**Romali_rotti** · 25th February 2021, 11:30

Originally Posted by Romali_rotti

How come there are no highlights of day 1 on youtube ? Pretty pathetic by BCCI to allow highlights footage.

Pretty pathetic by BCCI to not allow highlights footage, I meant to say.

**street cricketer** · 25th February 2021, 11:35

Originally Posted by Romali_rotti

Hey James,

I hope you are not talking about Gill catch here? There was a lot of bump to the ground on that ball, it was a fairly straight forward decision unless you are very very biased to the utmost level.

Think he's referring to the Rohit stumping decision which was made in a jiffy without seeing all angles..

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