‘India are a little bit worried about the short ball’ – Ravi Bopara makes bold claim after second ODI collapse

Former England all-rounder Ravi Bopara believes India’s batters are showing signs of discomfort against the short ball after their batting unit struggled in the second ODI against England at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

After winning the opening ODI, India were bundled out for 233 in the second match of the series, with England’s pace attack dominating proceedings. The hosts’ fast bowlers claimed nine wickets collectively, repeatedly troubling the Indian batters with short-pitched deliveries as they levelled the three-match series.

Speaking during the mid-innings break, Bopara observed that India’s struggles against the short ball appeared to have affected the entire batting unit.

“It’s almost like every time an Indian batsman falls to the short ball, a signal is sent to the dressing room, and they get worried about the short ball,” he was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.

Bopara also pointed out that the varying pace and bounce on English pitches had exposed India’s vulnerability.

“You get a lot of indifference in pace and bounce on English wickets. It just looks like India are a little bit worried about the short ball at the moment,” Bopara said.

Former England captain Eoin Morgan credited the hosts for executing their plans brilliantly, particularly during the middle overs, where they dried up the scoring rate and forced India into making mistakes.

Morgan felt England’s disciplined bowling in the second Powerplay compelled the Indian batters to play risky cross-batted shots, resulting in regular wickets.

“Throughout the middle phase of the game, England took wickets, and India’s runs flowed.“But England were more accurate with how they bowled in the second powerplay. They enticed India into cross-batted shots, which stunted them and allowed England to take and create more opportunities,” he noted.

Kohli scored 65 before getting dismissed, ending what appeared to be a promising knock. Morgan described the dismissal as unusual, considering Kohli’s reputation for turning fifties into match-winning hundreds.

“All of us had the house on for Kohli producing something special. We’re all homeless now! He looked highly tuned, Virat Kohli in the form of his life from the get-go. He walked out with a huge amount of intent; his footwork was crisp, and he made things look easy.

“It was classic Kohli, accumulating a run-a-ball, even when partnerships slowed. For him to get out at 65 is an anomaly. We’ve seen how good he is throughout his career, converting starts into hundreds. He normally capitalises and punishes the opposition, but not today, and that’s to England’s credit,” he concluded.