India beat England by 106 runs in second Test – live reaction | England in India 2024

“The pundits and the media seem unified in this narrative that England are playing well, and have got India rattled,” says Ali Parker. “Well, we’re not. And we haven’t.

We lost this Test match by 106 runs and our last 80 runs were scored by tailenders. It was almost a thrashing. Only one England batsman scored 50. India walked it, and will now have Kohli back.

Our players get out playing delusional shots against good balls, and then give delusional interviews. Worse still, no one challenges them. The TV pundits have the manner of a primary school coach not wanting to upset his boys.

We should have won the Ashes but Australia realised if you just bowl short at England, our moth-to-a-flame batsmen cannot leave it alone, and get caught. Ashes retained by Oz, who know how to bat in Test cricket.

In India, every England batsman is trying to score at one run per ball. Each time we try it, India bowl us out in two sessions for under 300. Remind me of the definition of insanity? Guys – this isn’t working…”

Yeah, I understand this but I don’t agree with it. England were in a dreadful state before Stokes and Baz took over, and since then they’ve delivered some of the greatest matches, wins and moments in the 40 years I’ve been watching this thing of ours. And now they’re 1-1 after two, taking on the hardest challenge in cricket, having lost a match that was still alive at lunch on day four. They’re not perfect, but watching them play makes me feel things and the way they play means something. It’s very, very awesome.

Bumrah speaks: He doesn’t look at numbers. He did when he was a kid, but playing for England is a lot of pressure so he doesn’t want more. He’s really happy the team won.

Asked about knocking Root over and the yorker in particular, he references Waqar and Zaheer, also explaining that having come from tennis-ball cricket, it was the first ball he learnt and he still uses it to his advantage now.

He doesn’t feel like he’s the leader of the attack but given his experience, he does try and guide his teammates. He tells Rohit – who he’s known a long time – what he’s thinking, then if there’s anything with which his skipper disagrees, they discuss it, but otherwise he’s left to his own devices.

If he sees another quick do well, he doesn’t feel he has to compete with them – “kudos to them” is his response. He tries to solve problems and every wicket is different, so he needs all the tricks in his armoury then to pick the right ones for the circumstances.

Nope, it’s Bumrah!

Oh, apparently Jaiswal wasn’t POTM, he was something else. But he might still be …

Rohit says Bumrah is a champion player but when you win a match like that you have to look at the full picture. Jaiswal looks a very good player and understands his game really well but has a long way to go. His knock was exceptional and he’s got a lot to offer to the team so he hopes he stays humble and focuses on what is needed for the team.

The wicket was really good to bat on and a lot of his batters got starts but didn’t make a score. However they’re young and new to this form of the game so it’ll take time and this win will give them confidence. He’s very very proud of such a young squad to come back and perform like that having lost the first Test – he wants them to play freely without pressure.

The last couple of years England have played really good cricket so they knew it wouldn’t be an easy series, and now they need to make sure they do the right things before the next mTest.

Shubman Gill wins some other award, then Ben Foakes is named Smart Saver of the Match. Incredible scenes. Jaiswal then wins Strike of the Match for his driving, one to tell the grandkids about.

Jaiswal is POTM and rightly so, getting away without interview.

Stokes, bucket-hatted, says that England had full belief they could chase and taking on those challenges “is what we’re about”. When you’ve got a big target, that’s when you get the best out of yourselves as individuals, and they put india under pressure; India played well and he congratulates them.

There’s no instruction on how to play, the players are told to do their thing. Every player is a quality player able to assess conditions, situation and how they’re feeling, then take a view.

He’s really happy with his spinners in terms of effort and output, showing maturity and skill – he’s really proud of them as captain. On Jimmy, he again marvels, and on Bumrah acknowledges that you’ve got to say “Wow, what a player.” Finally, he’s congratulated on England’s style of play which brings people to the game, accepting thanks with the same sincerity he’d show had England won.

Aha, here the presentation comes.

Er, I’m now wondering whether we’re actually getting a presentation – I was on the Aussie Open final when the first Test ended, so can’t recall what went down. But we can keep chatting cricket nevertheless, so I’ll say that should Brook become available at any point, I’d probably bring him in for Bairstow, who had the misfortune to get injured when in the form of his life and now hasn’t scored a ton in 36 innings.

We’ve got 10 days before the third Test starts, so there’s no need for England to rest anyone. The question, then, is which bowlers they pick; it’s hard to see how anderson is left out, because at the very least he offers economy and, contrary to what one might expect, he bowls well in India – much more so than in Australia, where medium pace is the subcontinental version of bad spin: it gets whacked. I’d definitely stick with him, and have a look at the pitch before deciding between Wood, Bashir – and Robinson, who I also think might go well in these conditions and who bats pretty well.

While we wait for our presentation and in the absence of a fifth day, some nourishment for your soul to fill the gap: this mix from the lovely DJ Knobs, one of the residents at Accra’s mighty Polo Beach Club.

So why did England lose? Well, it’s easily done in India, but looking down the scorecard, there are, as Priscilla White would’ve said, a lorra lorra starts. They got their 20 wickets, but they didn’t score enough runs – another reason Jaiswal should be POTM.

Evidence! As if he’s reading, yes of course he’s reading, Alastair Cook advises us that in Test-match history there’ve been 840 ninefers and only 407 double hundreds; Steve Finn points out there are more chances to get wickets because to win you necessarily need 20. I guess, though, it’s also worth noting that Bumrah is already a great; Jaiswal is 22.

Jaiswal says he really enjoyed the match. I’ll bet! India were focused on their process, which worked well.

He explains that in red-ball cricket he tries to bat till the end unlike in white, when he’s going for it from the start and throughout, then says the way Bumrah-bhai bowled was “incredible to watch”.

I think I’d give him player of the match because a score of 209 when the next-highest was 34 is ridiculous work. Without it, the match could’ve been close to over before Bumrah even had a ball in his hand, and a double hundred is rarer than nine-fer.

India look as relieved as they do excited, but they’ll know this England aren’t going away. We’ve seen loads of serieseseses in recent times where the tourists start well then get obliterated, but tat doesn’t feel like this.

What a Test match! Again! Bigupps to the curators too, another terrific Test-match track prepared, and well played both sides. Already, this series is an epic and we’re not even close to the end – I can’t wait for the rest of it because what we’re seeing here is special.

Hartley b Bumrah 36 (England 291 all out) India win by 106 runs, tying the five-match series at 1-1!!

70th over: England 291-9 (Hartley 36, Anderson 5) We should now be taking tea but because India are within a wicket of winning, we’ll keep going … and with that in mind, Bumrah returns. Gulp. Anderson does the smart thing, and gets down the non-striker’s via leg bye.

69th over: England 291-9 (Hartley 36, Anderson 5) We see footage of the England balcony following that flowing Anderson drive, Stokes wide-eyed in affected amazement, then Ashwin returns hunting his 500th, Bumrah back grazing having done his bit. Hartley takes a single to point, then out comes the Anderson reverse, a flick off the glove taking the ball high and they run one, then Hartley again cuts to the fence for four. It’s worth noting that, though England will lose here, under any other captain they’re skittled for 63, which is to say they’re not just winning improbably, they’re losing superbly.

68th over: England 285-9 (Hartley 31, Anderson 4) Bashir has had a decent debut, though I wonder if he’s replaced by Wood for Rajkot. But enough about cricket, what are we saying about Anderson’s highlights? In his autobiography, Tony Cascarino wrote about dying his hair as he got older so his manager wouldn’t deem him old and in need of replacement; I reckon an earring’s coming next, Artie Bucco-style. A drive through mid on gets him off the mark via boundary-four, the only runs from the over.

WICKET! Bashir c Bharat b Mukesh Kumar 0 (England 281-9)

68th over: England 281-8 (Hartley 31, Bashir 0) In comms, they’re talking about player of the match; KP reckons Bumrah, which would be harsh on Jaiswal; I’m going Brian Charles Anderson. Hartlety takes a single to third man…

67th over: England 280-8 (Hartley 30, Bashir 0) By the way, I loved Bashir’s interview after day one, especially when he described knocking over Rohit as “Very, very awesome”. It’s not often you hear the word “awesome” correctly used, but I have no reason to doubt he – and we – were in awe of whatever he felt in that moment and ever since, which reminded me a little of the below. Anyway, he stands up straight and defends Bumrah’s first ball nicely, then wears one on the pad; there’s an appeal but it’s going down. Three dots follow, then a wide no ball and a play-and-miss; over bowled, and Bashir can chill down the non-striker’s. England need 119 to win.

66th over: England 279-8 (Hartley 30, Bashir 0) Can Hartley find a single so Bashir doesn’t have to start his innings against Bumrah? He cannot. Bashir, for his part, haas only played six first-class matches and his highest score is 44 not out; good luck, old mate.

NOT OUT!

66th over: England 279-8 (Hartley 30, Bashir 0) Cunning from England, keeping Anderson till the bowlers are just that little bit more tired so he can come in and reverse-sweep England to victory. Jasprit Bumrah, though – when was the last time a bowler was the best in every format, and so conclusively? Mukesh, though, flings his third delivery across Hartley and the ball flies past the keeper’s dive for four, then Hartley goes at a wide one, misses, and Srikar is sure he heard something! The umpire says not, so India review…

WICKET! Foakes c&b Bumrah 36 (England 275-8)

65th over: England 275-7 (Foakes 36, Hartley 30) I wondered when Rohit would bring Bumrah back and the answer is now. You’d think a four-over burst from him sorts this, but Foakes follows his loosener, a bit of nip away enticing him to slash, and he edges for four!

“Well, I was hoping for an Old Trafford with Stokes and Foakes at the crease, emails Guy Hornsby. “And that surface a couple of summers back was certainly less flaky than this one, but Stokes’ hesitation did for him. India have been excellent again, but England must have had them slightly worried at 190-4. Those two wickets before lunch flipped the game, but if this era has done anything it’s made me way less despairing watching us play, and given I grew up in the late 80s and 90s, that’s a hell of a result in itself. And also I love Foakes so any runs from him cheers me up. It’s the little things.”

Yup, Stokes was, unusually for him, a little slow. He’s still out there, India are really feeling it.

64th over: England 271-7 (Foakes 32, Hartley 30) Mukesh replaces Kuldeep and Hartley takes a single to point, raising the fifty partnership. If England were to win from here, would this be their most ridiculous ridiculousness? I think the way these have changed the game most significantly is with the idea that anything is chaseable in the fourth innings – and given what teams make in ODIs, without the advantage of fielders behind the bat, why shouldn’t they? I remember during the dog-days of Root’s captaincy suggesting on here that the limited overs lads couldn’t do any worse because if they went in and whacked it they’d score, but it was a semi-joke borne of desperation. And now look! Four dots and a single complete the over; India will be starting to wonder just a little.

63rd over: England 269-7 (Foakes 31, Hartley 29) Hartley adds a single, making it eight from another decent over for England, and they need 130 to win.

The question is whether there was any kind of under-edge, or edge off the back of the bat, but looking at the footage, Hartley isn’t that close to the ball. I think he’ll be fine … and he is.

NOT OUT!

England review!

WICKET! Hartley c Rohit b Ashwin 28 (England 268-8)

62nd over: England 268-7 (Foakes 31, Hartley 28) Hartley is enjoying this! Foakes skips down the track to shove a single down the ground, then when Ashwin strays towards leg, Hartley helps him around the corner for four to finest leg. I’m running out of superlatives! Two singles follow…

61st over: England 261-7 (Foakes 29, Hartley 23) Hartley opens the face, tickling an edge with soft hands so the ball bounces before Rohit at slip, then under his dive and scuttles to the fence fo fo mo. So far in this series, Hartley’s average is 33.67, and he’s making a bid to play not just away but as the one spinner likely to be deployed at home. What’s impressive about him isn’t just his skills either, but the confidence and mentality to turn up in India and start executing them from his debut Test.

61st over: England 257-7 (Foakes 29, Hartley 19) Back in the hutch, England might have a few batters struggling to apply the no regrets philosophy. I remember Joe Root saying at the start of all this that he wasn’t sure how to Bazballify his style, which was mind-boggling in its way, because all he has to do to be part of any cricketing method is just bat like himself. And today, he got himself out batting like someone else, after getting a start like every other one of his teammates; another few from him, and this would feel very on. In the meantime, three from the over keeps England ticking, and this partnership is now worth 37.

60th over: England 254-7 (Foakes 27, Hartley 18) Hartley cuts Kuldeep away for one and looks pretty confident out there, while Foakes will be seeing this as the potential knock of his career – his batting has been extremely purposeful. I don’t think his place is under threat should Brook return because his keeping is worth more in India than elsewhere, but if he can develop into a Test-class batter, he’ll be difficult ti displace in all conditions. He takes one through square leg, then Hartley again deploys the typolicious cut-shot and this time earns four before ending the over with another single. England need 145 to win, India need three wickets.

59th over: England 247-7 (Foakes 26, Hartley 12) If England can get to within a hundred, India will get nervous, and there’s still a bit of batting to come. Foakes nicks a leg bye, then Ashwin yanks Hartley forward and totally diddles him with spin, missing the top of off; a single follows.

Thanks Rob and morning everyone. They couldn’t, could they? Well no, of course they couldn’t, but that we’re even thinking about it tells us all we need to know about our Testvangelists. But could they?

58th over: England 245-7 (Foakes 26, Hartley 11) Three singles from Kuldeep’s over, which takes us to drinks. And with that, it’s time for me to tag in Daniel Harris. See you in Rajkot!

57th over: England 242-7 (Foakes 24, Hartley 10) Hartley charges Ashwin and launches a boundary down the ground. Both in execution and intent, he is a really good Test No9.

Hartley is not out! It’s a comedy review, because Hartley middled a defensive shot and as the laws stand you can’t be out Bat Before Wicket.

Ashwin thought it flicked the pad first. You can understand his excitement, because had it done so Hartley was plumb.

India review for LBW against Hartley!

If it’s given it’ll be Ravichandran Ashwin’s 500th wicket.

56th over: England 238-7 (Foakes 24, Hartley 6) Now Foakes slog-sweeps Kuldeep for six, the fourth of this England innings to go with 35 fours. They are going down on their own terms. Their run-rate of 4.25 is the fastest by a visiting team who have batted 50 overs or more in the fourth innings in India. A niche and slightly desperate stat, I grant you, but it says a lot.

55th over: England 232-7 (Foakes 18, Hartley 6) Tom Hartley gets off the mark by driving Ashwin for six, because apparently that’s acceptable behaviour in the year 2024.

54th over: England 226-7 (Foakes 18, Hartley 0) That Stokes run out looks very sloppy on the replay. He jogged the first part, only speeding up in the last few yards when he realised he might be in trouble. It looks worse every time you see it; a bit of a shocker in fact.

The game has gone now, but a five-Test series is full of subplots. An unbeaten 40-odd from Foakes would help his case should Harry Brook return. He drives Kuldeep for four, then somehow manages to deflect a filthy grubber that had LBW written all over it.

53rd over: England 220-7 (Foakes 12, Hartley 0) “Surely you meant to speak of Bumrah as the fast bowling GOAT?” says Shantanu Anand. “Because he doesn’t come anywhere close to Anil Kumble, who is the third highest wicket taker ever (619) and has been part of many famous victories.”

It depends how much store you place on longevity. Bumrah is the Indian bowler I’d least like to face. I know averages aren’t everything, and he doesn’t care for them himself, but Bumrah’s numbers in all three formats are outrageous.

Foakes turned Ashwin into the leg side and set off for a single. Iyer picked up on the run and threw down the stumps in one smooth movement. There was a split-second of hesitation, which ultimately cost Stokes, but it was a fantastic piece of fielding.

WICKET! England 220-7 (Stokes run out 11)

52nd over: England 217-6 (Stokes 11, Foakes 12) Kuldeep continues. This certainly isn’t a vile turner, but it’s not doing enough – vertically and horizontally – to ensure a batsman is never in.

The tempo has changed since lunch, with 23 runs in 9.2 overs. That’s not a great surprise given that Stokes and Foakes are England’s most patient batters. Once this partnership is broken, the game should end in hurry.

51st over: England 216-6 (Stokes 10, Foakes 12) Ashwin returns in place of Bumrah. I guess it would be fitting if Ben Stokes, who he has dismissed more than anyone, was his 500th Test wicket. Nothing doing in that over, but England get an extra run after a ricochet off the stumps. They need… no, we’re not into runs-to-win territory yet.

Now, I’ll level with you, this isn’t a comparison I saw coming. “I’m not sure if I’ve heard anyone describe this England team as great (Dale Webster, 44th over) but they are a good side, with a few outstanding players,” writes Phil Withall. “I’d compare them to the Norwich City side that finished third in the inaugural Premier league season. Entertaining, with a certain reckless disregard for their perceived role in the grand scheme of things. Not great but providing a few shocks, and turning mortals in heroes…”

They remind me a little – I would say this, I know – of the Danish Dynamite team of the 1980s: an unconquerable team of optimists who play with a groundbreaking, recklessly attacking style. Thank goodness Emilio Butragueno doesn’t play cricket.