Mumbai: Former India opener Virender Sehwag heaped high praise for tailenders Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah against England in the second Test at Lord’s on Monday. The Indian duo batted astonishingly to break the spirits of the English bowlers.
Coming together to bat at 209/8, Shami and Bumrah forged unbeaten 89 runs for the ninth wicket with the former notching up his second Test half-century. While Shami went on to score 56 not out off 70 balls, Bumrah scored his career-best Test score of 34 runs to frustrate the England bowlers.
“Look at that cover drive. Even Virat Kohli could not play that shot as well as he (Mohammed Shami) did. Brilliant batting and partnership between the two. I think the moment Robinson was taken out of the attack, both became very comfortable,” Sehwag said.
“When Sam Curran and Moeen Ali came on, it never looked like England would be able to get them out. The defence was correct, the shots were correct. Everything was in India’s favour.” Kohli declared early in the third session, but Sehwag felt the Indian skipper could have put England in two overs before the lunch interval to signal their intent.
“Had I been the captain, I would have made England play two overs before lunch. India should show the mindset that they want a result. They should convey the message that ‘we have declared because we want a result. Will they go for the chase? If yes, then we have a chance to win as well. So, we are playing for a result, now you decide what you are going for,” Sehwag added.
