Former Indian spinner Murali Kartik lashed out at India’s bowling on the second day of the fourth Test match against England. The home team raced to 225-2 at the end of day’s play, scoring their runs at an impressive run rate of 4.89.
Indian fast bowlers could not hit the right areas and they were taken to the cleaners by Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. The England openers added 166 runs for the opening alliance to put their team in a commanding position after India was bowled out for 358.
Kartik noted that India’s pack leader Jasprit Bumrah also lacked sharpness after he returned with figures of 0-37 in 14 overs he bowled.
“When India came to bowl the sun was out. So what? Indian bowlers have bowled and done very well in hotter conditions. They were very inconsistent with their lines today. Even with Bumrah, there was not that sharpness that we usually see, but despite that he sas economical. But look at the economies of other bowlers. This is not okay given the conditions,” Kartik said on Cricbuzz.
The former left-arm orthodox spinner believes the other Indian bowlers failed to provide any support to Bumrah despite having the conditions in their favor.
“The wickets had been flat till on now in this series. But in this match, I thought today there was the most swing, swing and seam. And on that day if the fast bowlers do not bowl properly it can get very tough. When Bumrah is bowling from one end, why is there no support act from the other? This will not work. All the bowlers should be disappointed with themselves. India will have to think about this,” he added.
On the other hand, Kartik also expressed surprise after Washington Sundar was not given a single over by captain Shubman Gill. Sundar had bagged four wickets in the second innings at Lord’s.
“Washington Sundar bowled really well in the last match. I thought after that the captain would have more faith in him. But England are close to 250 and Washington has not even bowled yet. I am surprised by this,” he said.
England trail by 133 runs, and India would want quick wickets on the third day’s play.
