18th July 2014, New Delhi: One must be surprised on seeing the Lord’s pitch on the second day, especially in the last two sessions, and many would be wondering if it is the same pitch on which India batted on the first day. There has been huge contrast in the pitch behavior and therefore once the ball gets old on this pitch a bowler has to toil hard to get wickets. Having said that, India has still commanded the match so far, thanks to some superb bowling performance from Bhuvneshwar Kumar who has been at the thick of things for India and has left the English batsmen clueless once again on his swing bowling.
I believe to win this Test, and for that matter any Test on this tour, India will have to pick 20 wickets and that will happen only when the Indian bowling attack plays with a specialist fifth bowler. Stuart Binny, who is donning the role of the bowling all-rounder in this match, has been unable to cause any trouble to the English batsmen so far and that will be a big worry for the Indian think tank.
With the wicket getting slower and turning a bit, India is going to miss a second spinner in this match, as with R Jadeja from the other end it would have put extra pressure on the English batsmen.
India can take relief from the fact that they have been able to take the wicket of Gary Ballance in the last session, who was looking dangerous.
Day three is going to crucial for both the teams, especially India who once again have the chance to get their grip on this match.
