India vs England | Visitors looked frozen and unable to move, claims Sunil Gavaskar

India vs England | Visitors looked frozen and unable to move, claims Sunil Gavaskar

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Sunil Gavaskar has stated that the Indian batting line-up seemed rooted to their spot and incapable of movement during the second Test against England at Lord's. India was dismissed for a mere 107, unable to resist the efficient seam bowlers of England with James Anderson pulling off a fifer.

As per Sunil Gavaskar, the Indian batting line-up could not stand up to the expectations of the situation. James Anderson snatched five wickets and made sure that England were in control of the game despite losing an entire day to rain. Gavaskar also said that with Woakes bowling so well, Stokes absence was hardly noticed.

“It was a test not by fire but by ice because of the overcast conditions. The Indian batsmen seemed frozen and unable to move their feet. Having said that, it wouldn't have been easy for any other team either as England have a top-class new-ball attack. With Woakes bowling so well, Stokes’ absence wasn't felt at all,” Gavaskar mentioned to TOI.

While praising English bowlers, Gavaskar further stated that despite losing the Test at Edgbaston, the Indian batsmen did not put much effort in strengthening their skills and ignored one of the vital batsman, Shikhar Dhawan.

“No praise can be too high for Jimmy Anderson, who bowled splendidly. He utilized the typical English conditions and his late outswingers looked like fast leg-breaks, so much was the movement away from the right-handed batsmen. He was well supported by Chris Woakes, who too got the ball to move sharply away, and Sam Curran the left handed, who got the ball to move in the opposite direction towards the batsmen pads,” he mentioned.

“India, despite losing the first Test where their batsmen, apart from skipper Kohli, looked all at sea, didn't strengthen their batting and left out perennial scapegoat Shikhar Dhawan. Their lack of red-ball practice and preparation is evident and the seaming conditions in the three innings so far haven't helped,” added Gavaskar.

Gavaskar though had some praise for the Indian pacers as well. He said they have a chance of letting India get back in the match.

“India's bowlers have once again raised their hand and taken the responsibility of giving the team a chance to come back in the second Test at Lord's,” mentioned Gavaskar.

“Cook got a beauty from Ishant while Shami bowled another terrific delivery to trap England captain Root in front of the stumps. Pandya bowled within himself without going for the bouncer and looked a different bowler altogether."

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