Irrespective of the team’s performance, the love of the fans for the Indian cricket team and players are almost unmatchable, and there was one more evidence of it on the second day of the fourth Test against England at the Oval.
It was Mohammed Shami’s birthday today and although he was no part of the playing XI, the Indian contingent of the fans present at the ground celebrated his birthday in grand style. Some members of the crowd had a customised T-Shirt with Shami’s portrait printed on it and brought a cake to the venue.
The gesture also moved Shami to come forward and cut the take for his fans.
Meanwhile, Indian bowlers bowled wicket-taking deliveries but also bowled enough loose balls for England to take the game away from them. The hosts took a big lead of 99 runs on the back of strong performances from Ollie Pope and Chris Woakes. Pope batted brilliantly for his 81 while Woakes scored a powerful half-century to help England take the lead.
Having lost the toss and asked to bat first, India were bundled out for 191 on the first day and the hosts posted 290 runs in their first innings. Shardul Thakur was their best batsman with a swashbuckling half-century.