Nottingham to me, always evokes tales of Robin Hood and his merry band of men. The folklore is full of their skillful robbing of the rich to provide for the poor and fighting for the rights of the common people. Each member of Robin’s men had skills that made them a formidable team. The Indian team at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, in the 3rd Test match against England fought like the merry men of yore. The icing on the cake was the century by Virat Kohli in the 2nd innings having narrowly missed one in the 1st. The raising of his bat after achieving the landmark, sending a flying kiss to his lady love, Anushka Sharma, took one’s thoughts back to the handsome and bearded, image of Robin Hood exchanging a similar gesture with his love, Maid Marian, on winning an archery contest.

England, on the other hand, looked like a side that felt it had made enough of a dent in the Indian team’s armour both mentally and physically by beating them quite comprehensively in the two Tests matches. A 2-0 lead had placed them in a comfort zone and this was further substantiated, when their captain Joe Root, put India to bat after winning the toss. They felt that a weak, rattled and confused Indian batting line-up was ready to be barbequed and garnished on the fresh juicy wicket at Trent Bridge.

The two dreaded English bowlers, James Anderson and Stuart Broad, did bowl reasonably well, but having tasted success earlier, felt that the Indian batsmen would succumb to them without putting in that extra effort. A glitch such as this was just the opportunity the Indian batting side was hoping for and they grabbed it with both hands firmly. The English bowlers who showed accuracy in length and direction in the matches before, lost both their line and length and helped by some deplorable slip catching, looked strangely lost in their own conditions.

If the Indian player had a spring in their step, coach Ravi Shastri had a determined stare every time his proteges achieved some thing, quite clearly indicating that “boys this is only the beginning, no more let ups”. India finally looked like a champion side. A series win is still an uphill task as India needs to keep this momentum going without a hitch.

The most pleasing outcome from the Test match was India’s fielding. The inclusion of the young dashing wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant into the side brought in a clear message to the seniors that perform or you perish. The confidence that Pant showed in hitting a six off the very second ball he faced in Test cricket was quite amazing. Maybe, it was his way of getting over his nerves, but the clarity of mind and leg movement in accomplishing the feat of a googly from Rashid, showed that he was not scared of failure. He brought in the exuberance of youth and his record-breaking feat of taking 5 catches in an innings and 7 in a match reminded me of my Test debut against England in 1977. Although he did accomplish it as a wicketkeeper, the similarity of it was quite uncanny. Fielding performances such as these brings that extra yard of upliftment to the team. This was further enhanced by KL Rahul equaling my record of 7 catches in a match against England. His slip catching, especially the one that he took low down of Joe Root was marvelous. Catches in the slips are never easy and to pouch each one of them was simply wonderful to watch. India now have 3 good close-in fielders in Rahane, Kohli and Rahul, a thought that must be pleasing to the Indian bowling line-up. The cliché, catches win matches, has been proven right in the Trent Bridge Test match for India. Whereas, England’s slip and gully fielding and dropped catches that made them a winning combination at Lords failed miserably in Nottingham. This is now a serious source of worry for them, as without a fielding support their swing and seam bowlers become quite ineffective. A failed top order English batting performance has also added to their woes and India, although one match down are now looking far more confident than their opponents.

India has found a genuine all-rounder in Hardik Pandya. Although Michael Holding may not agree with it, Pandya’s 5 wicket haul in the 1st inning and his forceful half century in the second inning does prove that he has what it takes to become a true match winner. Unfortunately, comparisons with the great Kapil Dev will arise, but it is unfair to judge Pandya with the legend, especially at this stage of his career.

India was fortunate to have the services of a fit Jasprit Bumrah. He is a very difficult bowler to bat against when the ball is moving and seaming. He has a very awkward action of that of a genuine in-swinging bowler. but he possesses a natural flick of the wrist that gets him additional speed and an away movement in the air and off the wicket. This makes him a lethal bowler in all the formats of the game.

India have made two changes to their touring squad for the remaining 2 Test matches. Prithvi Shaw has replaced Murali Vijay.  The former has the makings of a genuine superstar batsman and bringing him into the Indian touring side is a very good initiative. Although, one is happy to see the inclusion of Hanuma Vihari, a middle order young batsman with plenty of runs under his belt, replacing him with Kuldeep Yadav is quite surprising. The mystery young Chinaman bowler hailed as a spinning sensation a month back, may have failed in the Lords Test match, but to be sent back for just one failure could prove detrimental to him. One needs to give such bowlers the confidence or else they will fade away. One hopes he has the character to take it in his stride.

Finally, a million dollar question. Will India retain the same playing eleven in the 4th Test match at Southampton?  One hopes and prays that they do so after 45 Test matches!

(The writer is a former India cricketer)