In modern-day cricket, contributions with the bat, for all the XI members in the team have become imperative, especially in Tests. While it is not okay, for the so-called tail-enders, to throw their wickets away, it is just unacceptable, if it comes from the top-order batsmen.
This problem of throwing wickets away has been one of the recent phenomena, that the Indian team seems to be unable to control. On Saturday, the hosts were bundled out for 396, against England at Vizag, despite opener Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring 209. None of the other batsmen could even get a fifty, with the next-best score coming by Shubman Gill — 34.
Indian Wickets, Served on a Platter
Rohit Sharma c Ollie Pope b Shoaib Bashir 14(41)
Unfortunately, it all started with the dismissal of skipper Rohit Sharma, for 14. He handed Shoaib Bashir his first wicket in Tests. The Indian opener was surprised by a quicker ball, that spun sharply, and Rohit ended up edging it to leg slip fielder Ollie Pope.
Shubman Gill c Ben Foakes b James Anderson 34(46)
The next in line was Shubman Gill. He never looked comfortable against James Anderson and had already edged him twice, before being dismissed for 34. Anderson eventually got him on a fuller delivery, bowled around the sixth stump, with Gill edging it to keeper Ben Foakes. The batsman could have well left it alone, but the sheer pressure of facing Anderson perhaps got him.
Axar Patel c Rehan Ahmed b Shoaib Bashir 27(51)
Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar, both, were a bit unlucky to be in their dismissals, but then all-rounder Axar Patel was guilty of throwing away his wicket too. After scoring 27, Axar just gave away a simple catch to Rehan Ahmed, while trying to play a cut shot. Extra bounce by Bashir meant, the batsman was in no position to play the shot, as it eventually went up in the air.
Srikar Bharat c Shoaib Bashir b Rehan Ahmed 17(23)
Once again, another Indian batsman fell to a short-length delivery. The culprit this time, was KS Bharat. He tried to hit the ball pitched outside off, but it went straight into the hands of backward point fielder Bashir. A loose-cut shot brought about his long walk back to the pavilion.
Jaiswal in the List Too
Yashasvi Jaiswal c Jonny Bairstow b James Anderson 209(290)
To top it all, the way Jaiswal got out after scoring a double ton, needs to be put under the scanner as well. While there was a need to accelerate the scoring, but that could have been avoided against Anderson, who looked the most solid bowler, on the second day. The batsman charged down the track to get a maximum but mistimed it, and was caught by Jonny Bairstow.
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