It all comes down to day five. All three results are still
possible, although you would see England as the favourites. That isn’t to say
that you would ever count out India.
With Virat Kholi and Rishabh Pant, India has two batsmen that
can do the unexpected; India will expect one or both to perform. It is what
makes Test cricket such an exciting spectacle. Even the draw could come down to
the last pair of Indian batsmen hanging on surrounded by expectant English
fielders.
Then again, England could skittle through a decent line-up
on a fifth-day pitch that offers the bowlers assistance. Jack Leach and Dom
Bess will be the main threat but don’t rule out James Anderson, Jofra Archer,
and Ben Stokes bowling invaluable short quick bursts that offer the batsmen a different
challenge.
England has been criticised for some of their tactics during
the game, such as batting on after tea. I don’t think there was anything wrong
with that approach. They have made India bowl more than they would have liked
over the last four days, and at the start of a series, that is important.
England’s bowlers, by contrast, will be much fresher when the second Test comes
around.
There would be nothing worse than being control from the
toss on the first morning until the final ball on day four only to lose it on
day five due to a partnership they could not break whatever they threw at
India.
With bat in hand, Joe Root looked to be in a class above his
England teammates as they were bowled out for 178 in 46.3 overs. The England captain
as taken to 2021 as if there couldn’t be anything easier.
This Test series has many turns to take and risking going
one down is something that England will never want to do in India again, and
who can blame them. After all, there is plenty of time to lose the series
between now and the fourth Test.
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