NEW DELHI: Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has voiced frustration over the timing of a dramatic shift in weather and pitch conditions that appeared to tilt Day 2 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford in England’s favour, saying “India were bit hard done by the weather gods.”
After posting a fighting 358, with a courageous 54 from Rishabh Pant, India saw their bowlers struggle under clearer skies and an easing surface, as Ben Duckett (94) and Zak Crawley (84) stitched a 166-run opening stand for the hosts. England finished 225/2, with Joe Root and Ollie Pope looking settled at stumps.
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Speaking on JioCinema, Manjrekar highlighted how different the pitch looked compared to Day 1.
“During India’s batting, there were dark grey clouds, some moisture — it looked like a black-and-white movie at one point. But today, the pitch really eased up and the skies cleared,” he noted.
“Suddenly, it looked like a completely different Test match. Even someone like Jasprit Bumrah found it hard to bowl a wicket-taking delivery.”