Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar feels Indian fielders looked flat on the second day’s play in Old Trafford Test against England. Manjrekar recalled that Indian players didn’t lack energy under Virat Kohli’s captaincy in the red-ball format.

England posted 225-2 in 46 overs at an impressive run rate of 4.89 after India was bowled out for 358. The English openers – Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley – added 166 runs for the opening alliance in 32 overs. While Duckett scored a fine knock of 94 runs, Crawley scored an impressive 88.

Indian bowlers looked toothless with the new ball as they could not hit the right areas and Duckett and Crawley were able to take them to the cleaners.

Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPN Cricinfo, “You’ve got to remember Virat Kohli as captain. Tactically and when he picked his playing XI, he may not have been best – people may not have agreed with it. But, there was never a flat looking Indian team even when they were catching up with the opposition. They made sure that the spirit was there.”

The cricketer-turned-commentator also noted that Gill is also missing the services of vice-captain Rishabh Pant on the field. Dhruv Jurel is keeping in place of Pant after the latter suffered a fracture in his toe. 

“I don’t say that this Indian team looked flat. These were difficult conditions, but Rishabh Pant makes a difference being on the field and Shubman Gill hasn’t had his company on the field for a while,” Manjrekar explained.

Mohammed Siraj went for the review against Zak Crawley when the ball was going above the stumps and Manjrekar said it could have been a different story if Pant had been behind the stumps.

“Especially with that review, I am sure Rishabh Pant would have had, maybe a different view. You saw a bit of naivety setting in where Siraj was excited and Shubman Gill immediately gave the green signal for a review,” he concluded.

England trail by 133 runs with eight wickets in hand whereas India would look to take quick wickets on the third day’s play.