India vs England 2016: 2nd Test Day 2 - 5 Talking points
India retained the advantage from Day 1 as the Vizag pitch showed its true nature, taking massive turn and bounce, but nonetheless remaining a good cricket pitch. Some lower order cameos and exceptional bowling have seen England fighting to avoid the follow-on, after being reduced to 103/5 in reply to India’s 455.
The visitors had shown themselves as worthy players against spin despite their recent debacle in Bangladesh. But all of their issues with spin bowling came to the forefront here in Vizag as Jadeja, Ashwin and debutant Yadav bowled exceptionally well.
Also read: Cricket: India vs England 2nd Test Day 2: Twitter reactions
None of the England batsmen, save Joe Root, who made a fighting half-century, seemed to get a grip on the surface or find a way to bat themselves out of the hole they were in. Stokes and Bairstow, though, remained unbeaten as England ended the day worryingly short of India’s first innings score.
Here are the talking points from Day 2.
#5 DRS at the forefront
DRS continues to make headlines in this series as thrice on Day 2, the technology became a serious discussion. First, Saha was given leg before wicket off Moeen Ali by Dharmasena who took an eternity to raise his finger. Saha was, in fact, at Dharmasena’s end after running between the wickets when Dharmasena raised his finger for the LBW shout.
Saha reviewed but found that the Sri Lankan umpire was spot on this time and had to make the long walk back to the pavilion.
The second instance came two balls later when Jadeja was adjudged LBW by Dharmasena off Ali yet again. While replays suggested that the ball was missing the stumps, Jadeja failed to review after consulting with then non-striker, Ashwin.
In the closing stages of the day, Kohli decided to review a Jadeja delivery that seemed to have found Stokes’ edge. But Kohli was in such a hurry to review that he failed to consult with Saha, the keeper, who did not seem too keen about the review. The DRS showed no spike on Stokes’ bat and India lost a review.