BASHIR: FIFER WAS TRIBUTE TO GRANDADS
ENGLAND off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was overcome with emotion after landing his maiden five-wicket haul in professional cricket, which he dedicated to his late grandfathers.
Bashir (above), at 20 years and 135 days old, became England’s second youngest bowler to claim a Test five-for in just his second appearance in the format and his eighth first-class match.
His 5-119 in the fourth Test against India in Ranchi helped England claim a 46-run lead after the first innings before a batting collapse put the hosts back in command.
“It was quite emotional – I lost my two grandads about a year-and-a-half ago and they used to just sit and watch Test cricket all the time,” Bashir said.
“Their wish was to see me out on the TV, I know they’re supporting me from up above. It was a very special moment on my journey. Two years ago, I wouldn’t have thought anything like this would happen but that was really special.”
England’s approach has been characterised by relentless optimism under captain Ben Stokes (below), but they gave up pole position after succumbing to a trial by spin on a turning pitch offering uneven bounce.
India’s Ravi Ashwin claimed 5-51, while fellow spinner Kuldeep Yadav was just as impressive as he took 4-22.
Zak Crawley’s dismissal for 60 (bottom) was the start of England crumbling from 110-3 to 145 all out, having earlier let India add 130 for their last three wickets, led by Dhruv Jurel’s fine 90. Jurel was put down on 59 by Ollie Robinson, who let a headhigh chance burst through his fingers, and added another 31 before Hartley spun one sharply past his outside edge and disturbed the stumps.
Jurel shared important partnerships of 76 with Kuldeep and 40 with Akash Deep, and was compared to Mahendra Singh Dhoni by another India great, Sunil Gavaskar.
“It feels great if a legend like Gavaskar gives a compliment like that,” Jurel said.
“I don’t regret a bit on missing out on the hundred. It’s my debut Test series, it’s always a childhood dream to play for India in Tests.”