TNI Bureau: Team India is heading for a shocking, humiliating and surprising defeat in Mumbai Test when the 4th day’s play resumes tomorrow. And, they are not falling to any pace wicket on a green turf. They are losing two two England spinners on a turning Indian wicket. Bitter truth to swallow, but true.
After conceding a 86-run lead to England in the first innings, India made a disastrous start in the second innings and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. They slumped to 117/7 at close. Gautam Gambhir was batting on 51, while Ashwin scored 11. All other top order batsmen failed to reach the double digit.
Support Independent Journalism? Keep us live.
Sehwag (9), Pujara (6), Tendulkar (8), Kohli (7), Yuvraj (8) and Dhoni (6) disappointed the nation. Monty Panesar, who had taken five wickets in the first innings, again took five wickets in the second innings and still counting. Swann took the remaining two wickets. Indian batsmen failed to read the spin bowling of Panesar and Swann, while the Indian spinners bowled below par as compared to their England counterparts.
It remains a mere formality tomorrow, as England may win the match before lunch and level the score 1-1. The remaining two matches would be tough for India. If they prefer to have a spin wicket, their life would be hell. If they prefer a green turf, they would succumb to the pace of Anderson and Broad. Dhoni & Team need to do something special to prevent a series loss against the Poms.