Twitter Reacts As James Anderson Blows Away India's Middle Order To Stage England's Fightback

A familiar Indian middle-order collapse thanks to James Anderson and some pretty poor batting by the trio of Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane has left the first Test firmly in balance as India finished what was a rain-marred day 02 at 4/125.

Resuming the innings at 0/21, Indian openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul picked up from where they had left last evening as they went about blunting the English attack.

Both Rahul and Rohit were extremely patient but at the same time, the duo, especially the former, did not let any opportunity slip whenever the England seamers erred in their line and length.

Rahul and Rohit racked up India’s highest opening stand (97) in 14 years- Dinesh Karthik and Wasim Jaffer had racked up 147 at Trent Bridge in 2007- but just as it looked that the duo would stitch a 100-plus stand, Rohit Sharma once again squandered a golden opportunity as he holed out at deep fine-leg while pulling Ollie Robinson.

The dismissal of Rohit at the stroke of Lunch gave England an opening and James Anderson cashed in after the break as he knocked over Pujara and Kohli within a space of two deliveries.

Pujara was once again caught on the crease on a delivery that straightened off the seam to take a faint outside edge off his bat.

Anderson backed it up with an away angler and Virat Kohli, in an attempt to put the bat on the ball, ended up nicking it to Jos Buttler.

This was the first instance since Manchester 2014 where James Anderson managed to dismiss Virat Kohli in Test cricket and it was Kohli’s second consecutive duck against England in England.

It could very easily have been 5/115, had Dom Sibley claimed the catch of KL Rahul, who completed a fine half-century, in the cordon.

Nevertheless, play was eventually called off after a series of interruptions with India finishing the day at 4/125.

Twitter Reacts As James Anderson Blows Away India’s Middle Order To Stage England’s Fightback:

UPDATE: Play on Day 2 has been abandoned at Trent Bridge! #<!---->T<!---->e<!---->a<!---->m<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->i<!---->a will resume Day 3 at 125/4. #<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D

Scorecard ? h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->T<!---->r<!---->X<!---->6<!---->J<!---->M<!---->z<!---->P<!---->9<!---->A p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->B<!---->4<!---->b<!---->g<!---->e<!---->d<!---->z<!---->8<!---->4<!---->S

— BCCI (@BCCI) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

1.1° of in-swing made Kohli play & 0.7° of out-seam found the edge. That was a perfect ball to bowl to a man who is known for wanting to feel bat on ball early on & who recently has been drawn into playing by inswing. Kohli was beaten tactically as much as technically. #<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->d<!---->D<!---->y<!---->X<!---->H<!---->4<!---->d<!---->X<!---->b<!---->v

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

India's numbers 3,4&5 since Jan 2020 have collectively averaged 27.7 – only West Indies (27.5) have a lower figure. h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->2<!---->j<!---->i<!---->U<!---->9<!---->h<!---->1<!---->m<!---->h<!---->d
From 2015-2019, India's 3-4-5 averaged 49.7 – the best by any Test team. h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->a<!---->7<!---->x<!---->H<!---->1<!---->Q<!---->x<!---->4<!---->n<!---->K #<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D

— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Since 2020

Average
Pujara 25.28
Kohli 23.00
Rahane 27.00

50+ scores
Pujara 5/21 innings
Kohli 3/15 innings
Rahane 2/21 innings

Balls per dismissal
Pujara 84
Kohli 54
Rahane 59

The trio is struggling. But we don't have ready backups to replace their quality.

— Krishna Kumar (@KrishnaKRM) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Oh my word! Andrson has Kohli caught behind first ball!

— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

WOWWWW! ?@<!---->j<!---->i<!---->m<!---->m<!---->y<!---->9 gets Kohli first ball and Trent Bridge is absolutely rocking!

Scorecard/Clips: h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->5<!---->e<!---->Q<!---->O<!---->5<!---->B<!---->W<!---->X<!---->U<!---->p#<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->g<!---->0<!---->6<!---->S<!---->0<!---->e<!---->4<!---->G<!---->N<!---->7

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Kohli v Anderson in Test cricket:
First 111 balls: 30 runs, 5 wickets
Next 454 balls, 206 runs, no wickets
Today 1 ball, 1 wicket.

— Andrew Samson (@AWSStats) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

https://twitter.com/deeputalks/status/1423267515182968835?s=19

After going wicketless against Virat Kohli on the entire 2018 tour, James Anderson has added to his collection. #<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->p<!---->B<!---->C<!---->9<!---->l<!---->r<!---->n<!---->U<!---->j<!---->f

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

A golden duck for Virat Kohli. James Anderson dismisses him for the first time since 2014. #<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D #<!---->V<!---->i<!---->r<!---->a<!---->t<!---->K<!---->o<!---->h<!---->l<!---->i

— India Fantasy (@india_fantasy) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

KOHLI GOES FIRST BALL!

ANDERSON IS ON A HAT-TRICK!#<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Virat Kohli’s last 2 Test innings in England vs England –

0(1) – c Bairstow b Broad
0(1) – c Buttler b Anderson#<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D

— Neelabh (@CricNeelabh) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

?

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Most Golden Ducks for Indian Test captains
3 – Virat Kohli
2 – Lala Amarnath/Kapil Dev/Sourav Ganguly#<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g<!---->v<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Final chapter in Virat vs Anderson saga – And Jimmy’s off the blocks in a jiffy. Phew, what a bowler! Don’t ever remind a fast bowler of his age with him around … #<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g<!---->v<!---->i<!---->n<!---->d

— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Golden ducks for Virat Kohli in Tests #<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D

vs Aus MCG 2011/12 (Ben Hilfenhaus)
vs Eng Lord's 2014 (Liam Plunkett)
vs Eng Oval 2018 (Stuart Broad)
vs WI Kingston 2019 (Kemar Roach)
vs Eng Trent Bridge (James Anderson)

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

All the hard work undone. Rohit perishing in the 30s. This is becoming a bit repetitive now.#<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D

— Farzan Patel (@TheTipsyParsi) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

The wicket of Rohit Sharma came from the shortest ball England have bowled all Test. #<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->e<!---->n<!---->K<!---->N<!---->h<!---->w<!---->Z<!---->i<!---->1<!---->e

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Rohit Sharma after getting to 30s in Test cricket ?#<!---->R<!---->o<!---->h<!---->i<!---->t<!---->S<!---->h<!---->a<!---->r<!---->m<!---->a #<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->r<!---->L<!---->M<!---->T<!---->o<!---->7<!---->k<!---->t<!---->W<!---->J

— India Fantasy (@india_fantasy) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Surely Rohit Sharma was caught at fine-leg playing exactly that kind of hook shot at the cusp of a session break on the Australia tour right? #<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

The swing movement India found on day one was double the global average & a third more than the average in England. The expected score for an average team (based on ball tracking data) was 190 for 8. The day one scoreline fairly reflects the quality of bowling. @<!---->C<!---->r<!---->i<!---->c<!---->V<!---->i<!---->z #<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->0<!---->o<!---->h<!---->4<!---->x<!---->N<!---->L<!---->Y<!---->J<!---->s

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Since Rohit Sharma turned Test opener, India's average opening partnership:

Involving Rohit: 51.5
Not involving Rohit: 13.0

Arguably came in NZ (two Tests) and Aus without Rohit, but Rohit did play in Aus and two Tests in Eng (WTC final & now).#<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D

— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

By pretty much all our underlying metrics India & England bowled as well as each other with the new ball (overs 1-25). England scored 61 for 2; India scored 39 for 0. This is a Test between one superb bowling team & one superb cricket team. #<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->G<!---->r<!---->h<!---->I<!---->V<!---->N<!---->5<!---->F<!---->i<!---->Q

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Rahul 35* (101 balls)
Rohit 42* (119 balls)

First Indian opening pair to survive 100+ balls in an innings in a Test outside Asia since Dinesh Karthik (136 balls) & Wasim Jaffer (123 balls) in Trent Bridge in 2007.#<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->c<!---->c<!---->A<!---->n<!---->P<!---->W<!---->k<!---->v<!---->j<!---->k

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

??? ??? ????: That 9️⃣7️⃣-run opening stand between Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul is India’s second-highest opening partnership in England since 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣.#<!---->P<!---->l<!---->a<!---->y<!---->B<!---->o<!---->l<!---->d #<!---->T<!---->e<!---->a<!---->m<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->i<!---->a #<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Also Read: Michael Vaughan Names Current Best All-Format Batsman And All-Format Captain