Former England pacer Stuart Broad believes it was a "tactical mistake" for India to bowl Jasprit Bumrah from the James Anderson end on day two of the ongoing Old Trafford Test.
In reply to India’s first-innings total of 358, England's batters, led by a dominant 166-run opening stand between Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, seized control. Both Crawley (84) and Duckett (94) fell short of centuries, but the hosts finished day two in a commanding position at 225-2. India’s bowling tactics drew criticism, with Nasser Hussain and Ricky Ponting questioning the decision to hand the new ball to debutant Anshul Kamboj instead of Mohammed Siraj.
Broad also criticised India’s lacklustre bowling display, suggesting they missed a trick by not using Bumrah more frequently from the Brian Statham end, which, in his view, could have offered more assistance.
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"Makes no sense to be honest, I think that was a tactical mistake from Shubman Gill and the Indian group," Broad said on Sky Sports.
"Maybe Bumrah was saying I prefer the Jimmy Anderson, but there's definitely more movement, definitely more uneven bounce.
"You can make mistakes in Test match cricket. What you can't do is do it back to back. So I would I would imagine India would be much better today. I'd be amazed if Bumrah starts that end. I think he has to bowl the Statham end."
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Bumrah bowled 13 overs in total in England’s innings on day two, conceding 37 runs, including four maidens. He did begin his spell from the Brian Statham end, bowling five overs on the trot, conceding 22 runs without any success. However, after switching to the James Anderson end, though he still failed to take a wicket, he was far more economical, giving away just 15 runs in eight overs.
Notably, during India’s first innings, England’s bowlers took six of the tourists’ 10 wickets from the Statham End. On day three, Bumrah started from the same end, delivering five consecutive overs – yet India failed to secure a breakthrough.
