This story is from December 9, 2016

India v England talking points, 4th Test, Day 2: Deja vu and Ashwin equals Kapil

Here's a look at the major talking points from the Day 2 of the fourth Test between India and England in Mumbai.
India v England talking points, 4th Test, Day 2: Deja vu and Ashwin equals Kapil
R Ashwin celebrates the wicket of Ben Stokes (unseen) during Day 2 of fourth Test in Mumbai. (PTI Photo)
Key Highlights
  • Ashwin is now joint 12th in the list of most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket along with Kapil, Imran and Lillee.
  • England were able to reach the 400-run mark was thanks to Buttler's partnership with Ball for the ninth wicket.
  • Vijay did well to survive the short-ball test against England seamers with flying colours.
Here's a look at the major talking points from the Day 2 of the fourth Test between India and England in Mumbai.
DRS debate
The Decision Review system continues to be in the news. On Friday, during England innings, Ben Stokes came forward to a sharp turner from Ravi Ashwin. The ball deflected after going past the edge and then bounced off wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel's gloves to land in Virat Kohli's hands at first slip.
The Indians went up in unison but the umpire was unmoved. India took the review and got the decision reversed. But the Stokes was visibly unhappy with the decision and it also stoked a brief debate among the TV commentators. During the time of deflection, Stokes' bat had hit the ground simultaneously. The snickometer showed deflection at this very instant and the TV umpire based his judgment on that. However, Stokes looked convinced that the sound purportedly picked by the snicko was of the bat grazing the surface. But the replays showed a clear deflection meaning the reversal was correct.
Ashwin breaks Prasanna's record, equals Kapil
Another day, yet another five-wicket haul for Ashwin in Test cricket. With the wicket of Stokes early in the day, Ashwin took his fifth wicket. This was the 23rd occasion that he had recorded the milestone and thus equaled the record of legendary India cricketer Kapil Dev. He now is joint 12th in the list of most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket along with Kapil, Imran Khan and Dennis Lillee. Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan leads the chart with 67 such hauls and Anil Kumble (35) is the highest placed Indian in the list. Ashwin also broke the record of most wickets in a calendar year in India, held by Erapalli Prasanna. With 48 wickets so far in 2016, Ashwin went past Prasanna's record of 46 created in 1969.

Restrained Buttler
That England were able to reach the psychological mark of 400 runs was thanks to Jos Buttler's restrained knock and his partnership with no 10 Jake Ball for the ninth wicket. Buttler, known for his big hitting, was a little circumspect early on as the Indian spinners tested him, went back to defend deliveries he shouldn't have multiple times. But slowly, despite losing two partners in quick succession, he got a grip on his strokeplay and even gained the confidence of playing reverse-sweeps. He completed a fighting sixth Test fifty and added 54 runs with Ball to take England closer to the 400-run mark. He was the last man to be dismissed, cleaned up in an attempt to steal some quick runs but not before hitting 76 off 137 balls - his second highest score in Test cricket.
Deja vu
England were all out for 400 runs in their first innings and South Africa-born opener Keaton Jennings top-scored with a century. What's interesting is the fact in 2006, when they played their second Test of the tour at the same venue, another South Africa-born opener going by the name of Andrew Strauss top-scored for them with a century in a total of 400 all out! England went on to win that match by 212 runs. Also, Friday marked the third consecutive occasion when England posted a total of 400 or more at Wankhede in first innings having scored 413 in response to India's 327 in 2012. They won that Test too, by 10 wickets.
Murali survives the short-ball test
That England pacers were going to test Murali Vijay with bouncers was an open secret. He has been out multiple times to that delivery in the series. And expectedly, James Anderson bowled a few to him early on and Vijay did well to duck under them. However, he was still putting himself in a dangerous position, unable to keep his bat down, leaving it hanging, in Sunil Gavaskar's words like a periscope. On the other hand, Rahul was leaving bouncers aptly, lowering the bat to keep it out from unwanted contact. Taking cue from his partner, Vijay made requisite adjustment and survived the test with flying colours, ending unbeaten on 70.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA