Headingley Test: Why was Ishant Sharma given the first over? Ajit Agarkar questions India’s techniques on Day 1

Former India quick bowler Ajit Agarkar questioned India’s resolution to open the bowling with Ishant Sharma on Day 1 of the Headingley Test after the guests have been bundled out for 78. Agarkar highlighted that Ishant appeared removed from his finest and his run-up was gingerly as India struggled to interrupt the opening stand on a dominant day for England.

Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns, England’s newfound opening pair, reached Stumps at 120 for 0 because the hosts sealed a 42-run result in pile up stress on India.England vs India, third Test Day 1: Report | HighlightsAfter getting bowled out for his or her ninth lowest Test rating, India began off poorly, permitting Hameed and Burns to get settled into their innings. While Jasprit Bumrah was holding from one finish, Ishant supplied freebies at will.The senior pacer’s struggles have been evident as early as the primary over as Ishant began with 2 no-balls earlier than providing width to Hameed who acquired off the mark with a boundary.Overall, India struggled to bowl fuller lengths that introduced a lot success to England quick bowlers on the opening day. It appeared like the 2 groups have been taking part in on totally different pitches as India misplaced wickets in a rush whereas they failed to select up even one wicket.”I think Ishant Sharma started with some nice, friendly deliveries outside off, exactly what India didn’t need after getting only 78 runs on the board,” Agarkar informed Sony Sports.”It looked that way (looked a bit gingerly). You think that after Lord’s, he was again slow today. That’s why you have to question why he was given the first over. I know he is the senior guy with a lot of experience. But at the moment, there are two guys who are better than him at the moment in the team.”Having been bowled out for 78, that was a choice that they needed to make. It could not have labored however bowling Ishant Sharma did not take a look at the fitting resolution,” he added.’India bowlers were desperate to get wickets’Ishant bowled 7 overs and conceded 26 runs and was the only bowler to finish Day 1 without a maiden. Bumrah and Shami bowled 18 overs between them and kept things tight but the wicket didn’t come. Hero of the Lord’s Test, Siraj bowled 7 overs but failed to trouble the two English openers.”He (Virat Kohli) knew in direction of the tip of the day’s play who his finest bowlers have been.”It was pretty evident, England were a lot tighter. The conditions were a bit different. England’s two tall bowlers got a bit more bounce. India perhaps were a bit desperate to get wickets,” Agarkar added.Ishant was lacklustre on Day 1: ManjrekarIn the meantime, Sanjay Manjrekar mentioned he didn’t like India persisting with Ishant regardless of discovering out that the senior pacer was having an off-day.”This is a rare thing. You will never see Ishant Sharma bowl like this. I didn’t like that he was trying to bowl Ishant Sharma back into form by bowling him more overs than he needed to when you have got only 78 on the board. You can’t be giving him more overs when he has been really lacklustre,” Manjrekar mentioned.