Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar was startled with India's response with the bat on Day 3 of the Chennai Test against England on Sunday and said that no one saw this coming as there was nothing in the pitch to worry the batsmen.
England team on account of skipper Joe Root’s 218 had dominating outing against India in the ongoing Chennai Test as the visitors piled up a gigantic 578 runs in their first innings.
In response to England's 578 the Indian batsmen struggled to counter the pace of Jofra Archer and the spin of Dom Bess as the hosts were reduced to 73/4.
IND v ENG 2021: WATCH - Joe Root takes a stunning one-hander to get rid of Ajinkya Rahane
India started in unconvincing fashion losing both the openers, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill before lunch as Rohit nicked one to Jos Buttler and Gill, who got off to a promising start failed to keep down an on drive, which James Anderson held on to beautifully diving low at mid-on.
However, in the post-lunch session, England struck twice as Dom Bess dismissed skipper Virat Kohli and his deputy Ajinkya Rahane to left hosts tumble at 73/4.
Reflecting on India’s batting, Sunil Gavaskar said that the pitch wasn't that difficult to bat on and India would have been in a much better position if they had survived the new ball spell by the English bowlers.
"No one saw this coming. We saw the way Dom Bess and Jack Leach were batting in the morning. There was nothing in the pitch to worry the batsmen. But yes, I think we knew that England’s strength is new-ball bowling.
“So if India could have survived the new ball without losing too many wickets, then they would have been in a very good position. But as luck would have it, Rohit Sharma got a beauty of delivery, though you’ve got to say he might have poked at it, just a little bit more.
And then Shubman Gill wasn’t able to keep the on drive down and James Anderson, at 38, what a catch he took. So India will have their work cut out." Sunil Gavaskar told Star Sports.
Addressing Virat’s Kohli dismissal Gavaskar praised Dom Bess for his bowling and said that the way he got Virat Kohli out was an example of how Bess was trying to set the batsman up.
"I think Dom Bess, in particular, bowled exceedingly well. The way he got Virat Kohli out was an example of how he was trying to set the batsman up. Virat played for the turn, there was no turn.
And the ball has bounced, so he’s been getting that with the way he’s holding the ball back. The ball has been dipping and that is so difficult than to be able to control your drives or control your defense." he concluded.
After losing early wickets India rebuilt their innings as Rishabh Pant and Cheteshwar Pujara, both hit half-centuries and together stitched 100 plus partnership until Pujara was caught by Rory Burns off Dom Bess.
(Star Sports Inputs)
