India vs England 4th Test: Legendary English pacer Stuart Broad, in his column for the Daily Mail, delves into the highs and lows of the Ranchi Test, offering insights into Joe Root’s premonition and unique celebration, and India’s strategic blunder of resting Jasprit Bumrah.
Root’s Century: Foretold?
Broad reveals a fascinating pre-match tidbit: news reached him that Root had one of his best net sessions before the Ranchi Test. “He had clearly found something,” Broad writes, hinting at a potential century based on Root’s past performances after such sessions. With the pitch promising a challenging batting experience, Broad emphasizes the value of Root’s century, potentially worth “double” under these conditions.
Unique Celebration: A Message Decoded
While Root’s elegant century stole the show, Broad sheds light on Ben Stokes’ interesting celebration after Root reached the milestone. The “little finger wiggle” was a playful reference to the recent Elvis biopic, signifying the team’s message to Root: “Ignore the criticism, you do what works for you.” This lighthearted moment underscores the positive team spirit under the leadership of Stokes and McCullum.
India’s Blunder: Missing Jasprit Bumrah
While praising England’s performance, Broad criticizes India’s decision to rest their star fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah. Broad expresses his disbelief, stating, “To me, it made no sense.” He argues that England must have been “doing cartwheels” upon hearing Bumrah’s absence, considering his past success against Root. This strategic decision, according to Broad, could prove detrimental to India’s chances.
England’s Advantage: Capitalizing on Opportunities
Broad acknowledges the debutant Akash Deep’s commendable bowling on the first morning, but reiterates his belief that Bumrah’s presence would have restricted England to a lower score. He also questions India’s pitch strategy, suggesting they might have missed an opportunity to exploit their strengths on a more batting-friendly surface. Nevertheless, Broad applauds England for capitalizing on the provided conditions and strategically selecting tall bowlers like Ollie Robinson and Shoaib Bashir, who could become crucial in the later stages.
Bashir’s Success: A Testament to Stokes’ Captaincy
Broad highlights Ben Stokes’ ability to nurture young talent, citing Shoaib Bashir’s success as an example. He compares Bashir’s development to Tom Hartley, who initially struggled but thrived under Stokes’ guidance. This, according to Broad, addresses concerns about England’s spin department and showcases the positive impact of Stokes’ captaincy on young players.
Looking Ahead: A Thrilling Decider Awaits
With England in a strong position, Broad anticipates a thrilling decider in Dharamshala. He concludes by expressing his excitement, suggesting, “What cricket fan wouldn’t want to see that?”
Broad’s column offers a unique perspective on the Ranchi Test, providing insights into team dynamics, strategic decisions, and individual performances. His analysis highlights the key factors that have shaped the series and leaves fans eagerly anticipating the decisive final Test.
