I Don't Expect The Indian Seamers To Do Much Better On The Oval Pitch, Affirms Michael Holding

West Indies bowling great Michael Holding said he doesn’t expect much from Indian pace bowlers on the final day of the fourth Test on a flat and placid pitch at Kennington Oval, London.

After a late blazing of runs from India’s lower-middle order on the fourth day, the visitors put a total of 466 in the second innings to set Joe Root and his team a target of 367. In response, England openers remained firm at the crease as they scored 77 without adding any loss and need 291 runs more to win the match.

I don’t really see this pitch playing too many tricks: Michael Holding

India are missing the services of senior bowler Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami with their ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin once again was ignored ahead of Ravindra Jadeja.

Umesh Yadav, who came in place of Ishant Sharma, led India’s bowling charts with 3/67 and Jadeja too chipped in with two wickets. Holding feels that he would have preferred Jadeja and also noted how England bowlers performed on the Oval pitch.

“I don’t really see this pitch playing too many tricks. I didn’t see the England seamers create too many problems… and the India seamers I don’t expect to do much better. And Jadeja, I don’t know. I would have preferred Ashwin if you’re talking about just the bowling,” Michael Holding said on Sky Sports.

How much will Ravindra Jadeja have an influence?: Asks Michael Atherton

Former England cricketer Michael Atherton echoed Holding’s voice and said that India were relied on Bumrah moreover and doubted on Jadeja’s contribution in the final innings.

“It’s pretty flat, there’s not much happening, and then you look at the shape of India’s attack. No Shami, no Ishant, no Ashwin, they seemed very reliant in that first innings on Bumrah especially. How much will Jadeja have an influence? He may have an impact, (but) it’s a good pitch,” Atherton said on Sky Sports.

The series is tied at 1-1 as India won by 151 runs at Lord’s only for England to hit back with an innings and 76 runs triumph at Headingley.

Also Read: England vs India 2021: Didn’t Expect Umesh Yadav To Be A Little Bit More Effective Than Jasprit Bumrah, Says Michael Holding