JOIN USTrevor Penney, India’s fielding coach, credited England bowlers for hitting the good areas and making it tough for the Indian batsmen.
“It was a good toss to win and the English guys bowled well, first session was crucial. In the first two Tests, we scored the runs, just that the last two games we have struggled and England is bowling better and fuller,” said Penney in the post-day press conference on Friday.
Penney lauded skipper MS Dhoni for his gritty 82, but refused to blame the top order batsmen. “Dhoni batted really well, and he had a great day. Hopefully, he will get more runs. But I don’t think Kohli and others are suffering from any technical issues.”
Penney also defended India’s slip fielding. “You want the slip cordon to remain the same right through the series but when people get dropped then we got to adjust. Yes, catches have been dropped but we are working hard.”
“We are happy with all the technique in slips. MS is one of those keepers, who let the first slip to take the catch. We are working on it.”
England medium pacer Chris Woakes, who came into the previous Test at Manchester, was understandably elated at their performance.
“It was a very good day, the way Jimmy (James Anderson) and Broady (Stuart Broad) set the tone was fantastic, and to bowl them out for less than 150 and to get 60 at the end of the day, was fantastic. We put the ball in the right areas.”
India need early wickets on Saturday and if they fail, they might very well be looking at another early finish.