England Cricket Team are 126-run ahead with four wickets in hand. And if India fail to restrict England to below 200, it could set up a difficult chase in the IND vs ENG 1st Test in Hyderabad. With Ollie Pope scoring an unbeaten 148, former India captain Anil Kumble has warned India of a “tricky chase” on a turning track.
“Ollie Pope was brilliant. India would be hoping that they will be able to come back tomorrow and restrict England to less than 150. It is going to be a tricky run chase, regardless of what the bowling lineup or the quality because it is the fourth innings of a Test match,” Anil Kumble said at the post-match show on JioCinema.
England ended Day 3 of IND vs ENG 1st Test at 316/6. With four wickets still in hand, England are 126 runs ahead of India. And with no historical reference to batting in the fourth innings, it could get difficult.
At the Rajeev Gandhi International Stadium, the highest successful run chase was only 75 when India beat West Indies. In the other four Tests, India won two matches by innings and the other by 208 runs. Only one match has ended in a draw. Hence, Rohit Sharma & Co do not have much to go on with.
However, the pitch will only get slower and the odd deliveries will turn and keep low. Hence, batting will only get difficult from Day 4.
“The ball is keeping certainly low and it just takes a couple of important batters to get out early. You don’t want panic to set in. India have the batting lineup and need to get these four wickets, they can’t let them get away from the score that they are. Pope looked to unsettle the Indian bowlers, it was a clear plan that he had, and it worked for him,” Anil Kumble said.
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