Hanging In Balance

Oval Test Nicely Poised As India Finish Day Two 56 Behind England, Have 10 Wickets In Hand

- Partha Bhaduri

There were no demons in the pitch and no gods came to the rescue of India’s bowlers at the Oval on Friday. Except, perhaps, just once.

Minutes before tea, just before the second ball of the 68th over, with Ollie Pope (81 off 159 balls; 6x4) and Moeen Ali (35 off 71) having set up camp in the middle and England’s lead threatening to balloon, Virat Kohli interrupted proceedings and called bowler Ravindra Jadeja over for a lengthy exchange.

Kohli was animated while putting his point across, gesticulating, doing all the talking. Jadeja simply nodded in agreement. He was nodding to himself even when returning to his mark, as if convinced by whatever ploy had just been discussed. The left-handed Moeen was on strike and batting beautifully.

Jadeja’s move was a nothing ball, a slower, wider, flighted delivery. Moeen’s counter was a nothing shot, the batsman taking the bait and going for an expansive drive, only to slice it up in the air into extra cover’s hands.

Jadeja, spring in his step and glee in his eyes, walked over to Kohli with a knowing smile. Kohli sported his trademark smirk, and suddenly, against the run of play, India had an opening again.

On a day of ceaseless toil, it was manna from heaven, one of those freebies India needed desperately just as the shoulders were starting to droop and the pacers starting to tire.