While the first session on day 5 of the first test between India and England in Headingley ended up, there was little joy in the Indian camp. The operators of England, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, continued to frustrate the visitors with a commanding opening stand which comfortably crossed the 100 points bar. With a worn ball offering little help, the quisors of India seemed more and more desperate for a breakthrough. In the midst of this frustration, the veteran spinner Ravi will Ravira Jadeja found an unusual reason to celebrate. Cameras grabbed the 36 -year -old man in good humor when referee Chris Gaffaney finally agreed to change the dukes ball in the 27th in the sleeves of England. India has been trying for some time to convince the referees that the ball was out of shape, but in vain. When the ball ultimately failed to go through the gauge, the referees had no choice but to allow a replacement. Jadeja, standing nearby, hugged her fist and broke with a large smile, strongly celebrating the rare little victory ahead of Gaffaney – a light moment that sums up the growing frustration of India with the conditions.
The ball problem was a recurring theme in the first test. Day 3, Rishabh Pant, which was at the heart of India’s fight with the bat, was visibly agitated when his plea for a change of ball was rejected. In a moment that sparked a reaction on social networks, Pant threw the balloon, attracting criticism from certain former cricket players for what they considered “useless”.
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Do you think that the change of ball will have a significant impact on the chances of India in the match?
While the Headingley test is entering its decisive final sessions, India hopes that the fresh ball will provide the movement and the rebound that they want – and perhaps a means of returning against the first resilient order of England. For the moment, however, the Jadeja Little Fist pump remains the only breakthrough they have succeeded all morning.