Broad humbles India

England enjoyed a perfect day of cricket to shock India and firmly stamp their authority on the fourth Test. Stuart Broad was the star of the show taking 6-25 in an impressive display of pace and precision.

England, who has received so much criticism over the past few months, seems renewed with Broad and Anderson in particular hitting form. Anderson took 3-46 yesterday combining with Broad to rattle off India’s top order.

Electing to bat first, India fell to 8-4 after the two pace bowlers found the rhythm and more importantly the edge of all 4 players’ bats. The collapse was quick and brought attention to Dhoni’s decision to choose to bat, the conditions favoured bowlers and England took advantage. The four wickets all fell within a mad 14 minute spell.

Dhoni did his best to make up for his error in a potentially essential knock of 71 to halt the battering India was receiving. However it proved temporary with only Ashwin aiding him with a lightning 40 from 42 balls. In fact, six players were bowled out for ducks which equalled the record. They ended at 152 all out.

Taking only 46.4 overs, England were looking to capitalise with an equally dominant batting display but early on fans would have been thinking ‘Here we go again’ after falling to 36-2 after Robson’s dry patch continued and Cook was out for 17 despite hitting some sort of form last match with a knock of 95. Star batsmen of the series Bell and Ballance dissipated any worries by calmly controlling the situation and steered England to 113-2 only 39 runs behind. One blip happened when Ballance was caught lbw right before the end of play but England will be confident of securing a second victory to take the lead in the Five Test series.  Bell is currently on 45 from 56 balls including seven fours and one six.