Daijiworld Media Network
London, Jul 29: For the second time in a month the Indian cricketers struggled at a stage where they could have finished the opposition innings much earlier than they did. On the first day of the second test match between India and England, India failed to take advantage of England's 124/8 and allowed them to put 221 on board.
On the last occasion, India allowed the West Indies tail-enders in the final test of the series to build a solid second innings lead and managed just a draw, losing out from a position of strength when they could have won the game comfortably.
At stumps on the first day, Indian opener Abhinav Mukund was back in the pavilion on the very first ball of the innings. Thereafter, Dravid and Laxman, though they lasted the rest of the overs, had narrow escapes throughout a fantastic bowling display by Englishmen Broad and Anderson.
India were 24/1 at stumps.
The last one hour was absolutely enthralling. England's trio of seamers managed to trouble the Indian top order with some good swing bowling. Mukund fell to a loose shot off the first ball of the innings but then on, Laxman and Dravid steered India to safety at the end of the day. Stuart Broad was brilliant as he produced some unplayable deliveries but India will be happy that their two most experienced batsmen managed to weather the storm. England will be coming out all guns blazing tomorrow while India will be hoping that at least one of their top order batsmen manage to get a big score.
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