On the third day of the second Test between India and England in Vizag, fans witnessed a captivating display of cricket. India, buoyed by the outstanding century from Shubman Gill, set an imposing target of 399 runs for England in the fourth innings. Gill’s sublime innings not only showcased his class with the bat but also silenced his detractors, proving his mettle on the international stage. As the day concluded, England faced the monumental task of chasing down the formidable target. Despite losing an early wicket, they reached a score of 67-1, playing the attacking brand of cricket they have been playing. The stage is set for an exhilarating final day, as both teams brace for a gripping battle that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the series.
Despite the favorable conditions and India’s commanding position, there’s a prevailing sentiment among analysts and former cricketers that the team could have capitalized further. The consensus is that India, given the advantageous situation, should have set a target surpassing the 400-run mark. However, the day was marked by the recurring issue of losing wickets at regular intervals, preventing India from maximizing their lead.
The Indian middle order, once again, failed to provide the necessary support to build on the foundation set by Shubman Gill’s century. This apparent struggle in consolidating their position has raised concerns, as the team missed an opportunity to potentially strengthen their grip on the match.
42-year-old James Anderson made a significant impact at the beginning of the day, claiming two crucial wickets for England. The seasoned campaigner dismissed Indian openers Rohit Sharma and the formidable Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored a double century in the previous innings. Anderson’s early strikes rocked India on the backfoot, dealing a blow to their aspirations of building a substantial lead.
IND vs ENG: James Anderson Takes A Dig At Team India
James Anderson, reflecting on the day’s play, remarked on the palpable nerves in the Indian batting performance. He observed a cautious approach, suggesting that the Indian team may have been uncertain about the target they deemed sufficient. Despite holding a substantial lead, Anderson highlighted the coaching staff’s directive to pursue an aggressive strategy, indicating a willingness to go for the win even if India had set a formidable lead of 600 runs. Anderson emphasized the clarity in the team’s approach, expressing the intention to push for victory within a compressed timeframe, aiming to make significant progress in the next 60 to 70 overs of the game.
Anderson said: “I think the nerves were there to see today, the way they batted, I think they didn’t know how many was enough. They were quite cautious, even when they had a big lead. The chat last night from the coach was that even if they got 600 ahead we would still go for it. It’s very clear to everyone how we will try to do it. I know there are 180 overs left in the game but we will try to do it in 60 or 70.”
