Birmingham: India allrounder Ravindra Jadeja made a strong response to England spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel's claim that the hosts have a 100% probability of winning the second Test. In his biting rebuttal, Jadeja stated that a team must perform and take 20 wickets, as anyone can say whatever they want during a press conference.
After the second day's play, which included a good amount of entertainment, the element of surprise added to the mix when Jadeja took a no-nonsense approach to Patel's confident assertion about England's chances of success.
In response to India's difficult 587, England was shaken early as Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj produced early breakthroughs. The pair bowled in tandem, removing Ben Duckett (0), Ollie Pope (0), and Zak Crawley (19) in no time. Joe Root and Harry Brook combined for an unbroken 52-run stand, lifting England to 77/3 at the end of a thrilling day.
Despite England's unusual situation, Patel was confident that the Three Lions would triumph at the conclusion of the second day.
100%. I've said this several times in front of all of you, and you keep laughing at me. However, we'll return in there and have a quick talk about how the day's gone and what to look forward to tomorrow, Patel told reporters following the conclusion of the second day.
Jadeja, who scored a valuable 89 runs, did not hold back when asked about Patel's statement, saying, "In a press conference, you can say whatever you want, but that is none of my business. " You have to get out there, perform, and take those 20 wickets. That's what matters.
India prospered on captain Shubman Gill's flamboyant 269(387), which included 30 fours and three towering sixes. Gill mesmerised England's inexperienced bowling attack with his unusual strokeplay, which combined aggression and caution.
England will require a similar effort from its established players. Patel believes that Root and Brook, the two best batters at the crease, can swing the game in the hosts' favour.
I just think we'll find another way to do it. We'll just look for a different method to get across the line. And I believe that's the beauty of our team, the players we have, and their faith in how they want to play the game, Patel said.
We've got two of the greatest batters in the world at the crease right now, and I'm hoping they go back in tomorrow, really settle in, and challenge what could be a good day's cricket for England, he said.
