Despite the free day of England, however, India was unable to claim its dominance, when they need a win to avoid the series defeat.
England bowled 20% of their delivery in leg side and attacked stumps with just 12% – the second lowest for any innings in the series. But, at the same time, he attracted 24% of false shots from India, the most for the day in this series.
But given that he faced a difficult batting situation, the irregular magic of the tongue at one end and Atkinson’s economic efforts on the other, perhaps it’s a little surprising that India’s minds were somewhat scrambled to some extent.
Former England batsman Sir Elastare Cook told the BBC Test Match Special, “The tongue did India to the things they do not want to do.”
“They have bowled a couple of full jafus, but alcohol is of all types that we call them when you bowl in this way. When you face someone who is so inconsistent, you feel that you are scoring.
“You think there are a lot of opportunities to score, but because it can happen anywhere it really bothers your rhythm. It’s a mental thing, knowing that he is not bowling well, so I should go after that and he takes you to shots.”
Karun Nair and Washington Sundar’s stubborn pair excluded him from 153–6 from a pickle, which was a shortage of the rest of the top orders that were playing with confident control.
It was a curious day, neither was able to confiscate the speed for a significant period, but an understanding that England recalled their opportunity, given the circumstances and the loose dismissal of India.
“England, if they are getting cruelly honest with themselves – on a pitch they have bowled with 8 mm grass today – there is enough seam movement and swing that they bowl out India today,” Von said.
“They might be thinking, if two of us bowled like Gus Atkinson, we would have dropped them out.”
