India’s Struggles in Manchester Test

India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, is under intense scrutiny as England takes a commanding lead in the fourth Test at Manchester. Trailing 1-2 in the five-match series, India finds itself 186 runs behind England at the end of Day 3. The day marked one of India’s most challenging performances on the field, with Joe Root’s record-breaking 150 runs putting England firmly in control. Fans and critics alike are voicing their dissatisfaction with Gambhir’s leadership, citing a decline in India’s Test cricket performance.

Criticism of Gambhir’s Decisions

Gambhir faces accusations of forcing senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma into early retirements and overlooking in-form players for the current tour. His coaching decisions have been compared unfavorably to his predecessors, with some fans labeling his tenure as disastrous. Allegations also include appointing close associates to coaching positions and dropping key players like Mohammed Shami, Sarfaraz Khan, and Shreyas Iyer.

England’s Dominance on Day 3

England began Day 3 at 225/2, with Ollie Pope and Joe Root building a century partnership that capitalized on the strong start by openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley. Despite efforts from Washington Sundar, who took two wickets, England continued to dominate. Root’s century propelled him past Ricky Ponting as the second-highest Test run-scorer. England ended the second session at 433/4, with Stokes and Root unbeaten.

India’s Bowling Challenges

India faced additional challenges as bowlers Siraj and Bumrah struggled with fitness issues. Despite these setbacks, Bumrah managed to contribute briefly with the new ball. England concluded their innings at 528/7, with Stokes returning to bat after a brief injury scare.

Implications for Indian Cricket

The criticism of Gambhir extends beyond his immediate decisions, with some experts questioning his ability to support young captain Shubman Gill. The Manchester Test marks another instance where India has conceded over 500 runs away from home, highlighting ongoing concerns about their bowling attack.