India's Leg Day to Forget

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India's bowlers had a 'leg day' to forget at Old Trafford, as they struggled to find control and discipline. The story was told on Shubman Gill's face, as he watched his bowlers drift away from their lines.

After Jasprit Bumrah finally found some rhythm, Shardul Thakur failed to deliver the follow-up, drifting harmlessly towards Zak Crawley's pads. The moment captured India's drift, both literally and figuratively. Even Bumrah, known for his precision, missed his early, and the ball swung less in the second session.

India's discipline melted away as the sun poked through, and they squandered the second session. "We could have been better with the new ball," Thakur said post-play. "We were trying to hold it back, but runs kept flowing. It wasn't difficult for bowlers."

Bumrah's spell before Tea highlighted India's waywardness, with 26.6% of his deliveries down the leg side. However, he course-corrected after switching ends, with only 8% of his deliveries straying down leg.

The absence of Rishabh Pant, injured and off the field, was also felt, as Gill struggled to set fields and lacked his usual sounding board. KL Rahul took charge later in the final session, but by then the runs had come and the lines had scattered.

India's loss of control was worrying, as they were outmanoeuvred by their own looseness. The ball they have will be 46 overs old on Day 3, and a lead of 133 is still significant, but the worry lines are starting to show.