How Indian bowlers actually fared in the Leicester game

[Temujin Khaghan]

Ishanth: Ishant Sharma, one of the three players from the current squad to have played Test cricket in England, and the bowling captain by default in the absence of Zaheer Khan, failed to make any impact and effectively became a figure of ridicule for a group of Indian fans at the Bennett End, who endlessly heckled him each time he walked back to his bowling mark. Ishant, who had taken consecutive five-wicket hauls in the two-Test series in New Zealand in February, India's previous series in the longest format, was listless for most of his three spells. He started with a no-ball in the morning session which had to be immediately called off as the rain arrived and upon returning he delivered two further no-balls as his first over went for 11 runs. His first spell of four overs leaked 41 runs and he overstepped six times. As he retreated to long leg Indian fans were not afraid to offer some advice. "Put some effort. Bend down," one fan shouted. As he lined up to deliver another over, Ishant would not have missed the annoying scream coming from the crowd: "How many fours are you going to give this over?" It might have been amusing to the ear, but the Indians may have found the impatience of their fans a little bit irritating. Barring Ishant, none of the other quicks had ever bowled with the red ball in England. And it showed straightaway. Bhuvi: It was overcast right through Saturday and the Indians might have fancied taking advantage of what they perceived as helpful conditions. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, whose primary strength is swing, struggled to find the right length throughout his solitary spell of seven overs which went for 46 runs including ten fours, all of which came at the hands of an aggressive Robson. Later Robson said that he took advantage of the fuller lengths Bhuvneshwar bowled while attempting to swing the ball. He felt the Indians started with intensity, but grew "tired" as he and Smith stretched the partnership. He also felt that while the bowling attack was inexperienced, it was their lack of knowledge of him that played into his hands. "The lengths they bowled this morning were fullish and I was looking to drive as I usually do," he said. "After I faced the first couple of overs of Kumar I felt he was a skiddy sort of a bowler and the best way to take him on was to drive him and hit him for a few fours. He swing it around a lot and I felt that If I was stuck around in my crease I was just sitting ducks." The key to succeed in England has always remained the same: pitch on lengths that make the batsmen play and move the ball enough to bring the slips into play. Today the Indians created just a handful of such opportunities. One of them was plucked spectacularly by Ajinkya Rahane early in the morning session when he intercepted an outside edge from Leicestershire captain Matthew Boyce who was troubled by some away movement from Pankaj Singh. Pankaj, along with Mohammad Shami and later Varun Aaron, were the pick of the Indian bowlers as the trio bowled at a good pace and created some doubts for the batsmen. With another three-day match against Derbyshire starting on Tuesday, the Indians will ideally want to get an idea of their lead pack of bowlers for the first Test at Trent Bridge on July 9. They did, however, get a late boost when Ishant took two wickets in three balls in an aggressive over he was allowed to bowl in fading light. http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-india-2014/content/story/756271.html

[Temujin Khaghan]

I think yesterday's failure happened for our own good. Pankaj-Aaron-Shami is a very good combination. we have Shami and Pankaj who can bowl outswingers and both have some control over lengths. Aaron is a little erratic with lengths as of now. we will have two 140-145kmph bowlers in Aaron and Shami and a workhorse in Pankaj it is still not clear which spinner will Dhoni start with for the first game... --- wont be surprised if dhoni still start with Bhuvi-Ishanth-Shami for the first test. But then, atleast there is no need to watch Indian bowling anymore, just watch the batting and do something else when they are bowling.

[FischerTal]

Pankaj, along with Mohammad Shami and later Varun Aaron, were the pick of the Indian bowlers as the trio bowled at a good pace and created some doubts for the batsmen.

this should be the trio yet we all know the 3 bowlers will be bhuvi ishant and shami

[rkt.india]

Yes, already, Shami, Pankaj, Aaron should be the trio, but Ishant looks certainty as he is sexperienced.

[rkt.india]

They must play exact first test XI in 2nd warmup, not 18.

[Temujin Khaghan]

man pace is important in England along with swing. everyone cannot be philander or asif. thats talent on a different level altogether. if shami played under an aggressive captain like ganguly or under a captain who understands fast bowling like wasim akram, his body language and output would have been different.

[Number]

Don't write off Ishant based on this stupid practice game. He will be man of the series this time in England when Dhoni wins the series.

[renjith]

Don't think it will be easy for dhoni to pick ishant in first test unless he comes up with some good performance in next warm up. public protest against ishant is becoming more and more vocal. people have started publicly ridiculing him on the ground.

[jf1gp_1]

Don't write off Ishant based on this stupid practice game. He will be man of the series this time in England when Dhoni wins the series.

he will be the man of series for england after dhoni loses the series.

[jf1gp_1]

--- wont be surprised if dhoni still start with Bhuvi-Ishanth-Shami for the first test. But then, atleast there is no need to watch Indian bowling anymore, just watch the batting and do something else when they are bowling.

Dont think you still know Dhoni 1st test line up will be Ishant, Sami, Jaddu and Ashwin.

[G_B_]

listened to the first 10 overs. Punkaj was bowling with fire accuracy and pace. Even the commentators were saying he was getting good bounce on a lame pitch due to his height. He is 6 foot 5?

[div]

There are 5 left-handers in the England team,so BK and Ashwin will play.

[rkt.india]

listened to the first 10 overs. Punkaj was bowling with fire accuracy and pace. Even the commentators were saying he was getting good bounce on a lame pitch due to his height. He is 6 foot 5?

yes

[saneindian]

Lol public protest means zilch In all likelihood Bhuvi, Shami, ishant and Ashwin will the bowling attack for 1st test.

[rkt.india]

Lol public protest means zilch In all likelihood Bhuvi, Shami, ishant and Ashwin will the bowling attack for 1st test.

Pankaj, Shami, Ishant I bet.

[rkt.india]

Though warmup isnt the best criteria to judge them. Remember when England came to India, our domestic teams too scored runs against them in warmups.

[tweaker]

Pankaj,Shami,Aaron,Pandey should be the bowlers for the 1 test

[Mahaa Raavana]

Too much analyzing on Indian bowlers...it's the batters you need to worry about...Can't see any one else apart from kolhi standing tall against the venomous English attack...Anderson with his swing and Plunkett with his bounce will eat the flimsy ftbs alive....mark my words...:two_thumbs_up:

[Vilander]

International players see each other quite a lot, but first class players in Eng/Aus/India/Pak are nearly as good as internationals but they are un known, people do not know about them. This often plays into their hands. Starting 11 will be Bhuv/Pankaj/Shami thats good enough wait and what what Ashwin can do. Second warmup is crucial

[rkt.india]

Too much analyzing on Indian bowlers...it's the batters you need to worry about...Can't see any one else apart from kolhi standing tall against the venomous English attack...Anderson with his swing and Plunkett with his bounce will eat the flimsy ftbs alive....mark my words...:two_thumbs_up:

These guys scored runs in SA and NZ against as good attacks. Pukara, Kohli, Dhawan, Rahane, Vijay scored 100 or 90s.