IND vs ENG: Anil Kumble says India were ‘pretty ordinary’ over last two days of 1st Test

Ex-India cricketer and former men’s team coach Anil Kumble has questioned Team India’s approach in the second innings of the first Test at Hyderabad which saw the hosts lose to England by 28 runs.

Chasing a target of 231 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, the hosts collapsed from 42-0 at one stage to 202 all out in 69.2 overs. The first Test thus ended on Day 4 with England holding a 1-0 lead in the 5-match series.

Not pulling any punches, Kumble said: “England were brilliant over the last two days. India were pretty ordinary. In the field, you could see that heads were dropping down while fielding. But credit to England, the way they batted, the way they came and bowled.”

He then went on to single out England’s Tom Hartley, who was making his debut, but ended with nine wickets in the match, including seven in the second innings. Hartley returned the fourth-best figures for a debutant visiting bowler in India: 7-62.

“Tom Hartley, a debutant, gets hit for a six on his first ball. Then, the first five overs he was going at about seven runs an over. To come back and bat really well, take two wickets in the first innings, and seven in the second and win the match for England was absolutely fantastic. England have done exceptionally well,” the Indian legend said on JioCinema’s ‘Match Centre Live’ at the end of the match.

The leg spinner was asked what was the turning point of the first Test.

“India could certainly have been more positive in their batting approach in the second innings. Once Rohit Sharma got out and Ravindra Jadeja was run out, the course of the match changed,” he added.

“If you go back to Day 1 and Day 2, England were probably outplayed a little bit. They didn’t score in the first innings. However, on Day 3, the way they picked up wickets early, got themselves back in the game and then finally of course dominated proceedings. They won back-to-back sessions with younger guys putting their hands up. The young man Pope scoring 196, and then of course the debutant Hartley, seven wickets in the second innings, won the game for England. He would have been aware that the senior spinner Jack Leach was injured and took extra responsibility and put his hands up for captain Stokes,” added former England cricketer Owais Shah.

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