Stuart Broad holds Indian star responsible for England’s fightback in Lord’s Test

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England staged a stunning comeback to defeat India in the third Test of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, taking a crucial 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Amidst the celebrations, former England fast bowler Stuart Broad offered a sharp analysis, singling out a specific moment and a high-profile Indian batsman’s misjudgment as the catalyst for the hosts’ spirited resurgence. His insights, shared on his ‘For the Love of Cricket’ podcast, have ignited considerable discussion among cricket pundits and fans alike.

India, chasing a seemingly modest target of 193 runs on a challenging fourth-innings pitch, appeared to be in a commanding position. However, their chase quickly unraveled with the early dismissal of left-handed opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal, known for his aggressive stroke play, departed for a seven-ball duck, slicing a short and wide delivery from Jofra Archer high into the outfield. Broad did not mince words when describing the shot, labelling it “a really bad shot.” He underscored the critical nature of such early wickets in low-scoring, high-pressure chases, noting that a dynamic opener has the potential to either dominate the game from the outset or, conversely, hand the momentum directly to the opposition.

“In a low chase, when you are defending, if you come to bowl and you’ve got a Sehwag, Warner, the opening batters that can take the game away from you and they up 60 for none or one off ten, the game is sort of done,” Broad explained on his podcast. “So Jaiswal getting out, really bad shot, I’m surprised he just didn’t look to cut it over the off-side, suddenly England are like okay, we are in. He is the player who moves the scoreboard forward.”

Jaiswal’s early exit injected a palpable surge of energy into the England bowling unit. Archer, fresh from his breakthrough, combined effectively with Brydon Carse to claim further quick wickets. The visitors, initially confident, suddenly found themselves wobbled, as the psychological weight of the situation mounted on the remaining batsmen. The loss of their most attacking opener so early in the innings proved to be a significant blow, allowing England to seize the initiative and dictate the terms of engagement. By the close of Day 4, India had slumped to a precarious 58/4, a position from which they ultimately failed to recover.

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Broad further elaborated that the swift removal of such an influential batter in the fourth innings was instrumental in “allowed England to take early control.” His commentary drew insightful parallels with other renowned dynamic openers who have historically turned daunting chases into mere formalities, emphasizing how Jaiswal’s misstep inadvertently opened the door for England’s renewed hope and belief.

“As soon as Karun Nair came in, he is someone who plays each ball on merit, then England could control it and set attacking fields, create pressure. So I thought that was a really big moment. England making that breakthrough early, Jaiswal gone,” he added, highlighting the contrast in batting approaches and its impact on England’s tactical flexibility.

With England now holding a commanding 2-1 lead with two Tests remaining, the spotlight firmly shifts to India’s ability to regroup and bounce back. All eyes will be on Jaiswal, who has been pointed out by one of England’s most astute cricketing minds. His response to this setback, and India’s collective resilience in the face of adversity, will undoubtedly shape the narrative of the remainder of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

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