Michael Vaughan, the former England cricketer, thinks India need to channel Virat Kohli to restrict England’s first innings score in the Manchester Test. He believes that’s the key to India coming back in this game.
Ben Duckett’s 94 helped England get India in a spot of bother. England ended day two of the fourth Test in Manchester 225/2, after taking advantage of some wayward Indian bowling.
England are in a great position for a big first innings score with the batting conditions in their favour. Duckett and Zak Crawley (84 off 113) started well, adding 166 in 192 balls, after India had scored 358 in the morning.
Vaughan said on Cricbuzz that the series is over if England have a good day tomorrow. He said India and Shubman need to turn up with a Kohli mindset, knowing they have to win the day. He said winning day three is crucial for India to stay in the game and win the Test, and losing it means the series is lost.
Despite a broken foot, Rishabh Pant’s 54 off 75 balls got India past 350 on a pitch that was assisting the seamers.
The Indian pacers, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Anshul Kamboj weren’t accurate enough to trouble the England openers, who were back to their aggressive self after changing their approach at Lord’s.
England’s openers, particularly Duckett, took advantage of the many loose balls bowled on the leg side. England scored almost 5 runs an over, compared to India’s 3.25.
It was a tough debut for Kamboj, who was added to the Indian team due to injuries, until he eventually got Duckett caught behind with a well lifted delivery.
