Already disappointed by the insipid batting in testing conditions, India surged their way into the 4th Test on day 2 as England held firm after a mid-collapse.
Already disappointed by the insipid batting in testing conditions, India surged their way into the 4th Test on day 2 as England held firm after a mid-collapse.
The hosts were 237 for six before the rains came down heavily and halted the game. Joe Root was 48 not out and Jos Buttler 22 not out, with their unbroken seventh-wicket partnership so far worth 67 runs.
Even though England holds the aces in this Test, there is a ‘slight’ chance for the visitors to stake a claim in this match. How, we tell you here:
1 – Wipe out the lead ASAP!
With England in command, the visitors need to be in a positive frame of mind. Alastair Cook and company could put pressure if the former’s team build on an unassailable lead. Thus keeping that in mind, the Indian batsmen should first take notice of the lead in hand and wipe it out. If they can do that, the match is safely pocketed into Dhoni’s ‘gloves’!
2 – Team India must bowl out England less than 300
England are fairly in control of the 4th Test but Indian bowlers had their noses in front when the likes of Ian Bell and Moeen Ali were sent back to the pavilion on day 2. With Joe Root and Jos Buttler occupying the crease, these two could settle pose danger for Dhoni and co. Varun Aaron has bowled a neat line and if the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Pankaj Singh chip in, India can bundle up the Poms under the total of 300.
3 – Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli should stay positive
Since their arrival on England shores, India’s run machines seem to have lost their ‘charge’. The likes of Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara have yet to stamp their mark in this series but all could change in a day if the duo comes out in a positive frame of mind. The pitch at Old Trafford will assist the batsman on day 3 and 4 and this will be music to the ears of Virat and Pujara who are longing to score off their willow.
4 – Dhoni should use Ravi Ashwin as an ‘attacking option’
He might be unplayable on Asian shores but overseas, Ravichandran Ashwin cuts a sorry figure. No wonder, the Chennai-born hardly got a look at in the last three Tests in England but Dhoni should use the former wisely at Old Trafford. The pitch here is attracting spin and bounce which could spice up the rest of the playing days in fourth Test.
5 – Revive the Lord’s Test momentum
India created history by clinching the Lord’s Test and thus won only their second game after a brief period of 28 years. Since then, everything’s gone quiet for MSD and management. Southampton game was a no show while Old Trafford too saw the ‘cocky’ side of the Indian batsmen. If the visitors are to have a say in this series, the winning mentality must be revived and thus, reinvigorate the Lord’s Test again!
The Test is not over yet by any standards! England might have been in a commanding position but India could surge a comeback and sneak in a victory. Anything is possible in cricket these days.
