The Indian cricket team found themselves in a spot of bothering on Day 4 of the first Test against England after they were bowled out for 337, conceding a first-innings lead of 241 runs. Hence, Many believed that India were out of the contest.
The Indian team, however, bounced back in the match as they bowled out England for 177 in the 2nd innings, setting themselves a target of 420 to chase. Though India lost the wicket of Rohit Sharma, there’s certainly a belief among the fans that the hosts still have a chance.
With India needing 381 runs on Day 5, and England needing 9 runs, all three results are possible. India’s resurgence was led by off-spinner R Ashwin, who dismissed Rory Burns on the very first ball of England’s second innings.
However, it was skipper Virat Kohli who got all the praise for handing over the new-ball to Ashwin. In fact, former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar even compared Kohli’s captaincy to legendary Windies skipper, Sir Vivian Richards.
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“If you saw Virat Kohli’s reaction when they got that wicket just before Lunch, it shows how this Team India thinks,” Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo.
“Especially with Virat Kohli at the helm. Tactically, people have issues with his captaincy, but this is where Virat Kohli is like Vivian Richards, where they are always hopeful,” he added.
“And when a captain believes that you can still make a match out of this one from the current situation,” Sanjay Manjrekar concluded.