I apologize for the title of this thread…. but he has been taken to the cleaners by the commentators at the end of day 1. He didn’t bowl well and much of the commentary has singled him out. Cricinfo writes about pedestrian bowling, Geoffrey Boycott has called it rubbish, as have other commentators.
It would be useful to take the reader back to Brisbane 2003. The first day was similarly woeful and the papers declared “Indian Summer Over!”, clearly fortified with a substantial dose of Aussie bluster. Australia had reached 2/262 in 62 overs on a shortened first day in conditions which were bowler friendly. The next day, the chastised bowling attack returned to demolish the Australians for 323 (8/61 on the day). Day 1 at Lord’s was not quite so bad – the English line up is not quite the Australian batting of 2003-04 and the bowlers recovered nicely in the latter stages of the day. Anil Kumble has been solid as a rock and England seem to treat him with great reverence.
If inspiration is necessary, then Brisbane 2003 stands out. It triggered a brilliant few weeks for India on the Australian tour.
Kartikeyadate's Weblog 
July 20, 2007 at 10:05 am
well said. 5/29 on Gaba greentop remains his best spell in Test cricket, if he could do that here, provided rains allow play then it would be great for him.
And yesterday s most disgusting aspect was that despite being experienced in English conditions, he yet continued to bowl bad and irrelevant………..
July 20, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Kartik, It is surprising that even seasoned commentators (ex-cricketers mind you!) jumping to conclusion on where a match would end (or even series) based on only the first day of play! Would these guys be willing to eat humble pie today?
-Prabu