England vs India 2018, 4th Test: Indians Bowled Fantastically Well - Moeen Ali

Initially, after England won the toss on day one of the penultimate Test in Southampton, few analysts felt the Three Lions are in line for a big score. However, Team India bowling department has other ideas in the mind who rattled the defence of England. Meanwhile, Moeen Ali showers heaps of praise on visitors.

Fascinating, to say the least, Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliance with the new ball followed by Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami’s consistency helped India seize the initial momentum.

And just when things looked normal, Shami bagged Jos Buttler to boost India’s chances. However, Ali and Sam Curran brought back the hosts into the game.

It was quite difficult to score freely – Moeen Ali

Speaking of the conditions on day one, off-spinner Ali hailed Indian bowling for their dominance at Ageas Bowl. He further added it was tough for the batsmen to get runs against those lines and lengths from Indian bowlers.

Meanwhile, speaking of his batting, he added that sometimes he also have some brain fade moments. But, batting at number seven and eight, Ali cited that it has always been tricky for him whether to defend or go after the bowling.

“When you are playing well I think you know that you’ve got a bit more time and the more balls you play everything gets easier. “India bowled fantastically well and the ball continued nipping around; it was quite difficult to score freely but it did get a little bit easier as the ball got softer,” Ali said to Sky Sports.

“I’ve been batting for seven at eight for so long that sometimes you get in situations where you are loose and can play a few shots. I know that I can play differently too – I can go in and grind it out. “I know that I do have a brain fade sometimes but I know that I’ll play well and get in, in those situations, the less I’ll do that,” he added.

However, it has been a decent knock from Moeen Ali. If not his 40-odd run-knock, England could have been in even worse condition than the current situation against India.

Moeen and Sam Curran batted brilliantly to get something respectable on the board.