India Needs to Keep This in Mind to Win the IND vs ENG 1st Test Match
In the IND vs ENG 1st Test, India already had a great first innings with the bat, including three centurions, led by captain Shubman Gill, who led from the front with a tremendous knock of 147 runs. India had a great start with a solid opening partnership of 91 runs between KL and Jaiswal. Jasiwal also registered his first century of 101 runs in England. Later, the partnership between Gill and vice-captain Rishabh Pant was game-changing. Pant also registered a brilliant century of 134 runs, keeping the pressure on English bowlers from the start.
India could have finished well with the bat. At one point, they were at 430-4 but reduced to 471. Some 80 more runs would have set the stage for the victory. In return, England scored 465 runs in the second innings of the first test match, crediting the catch drops and dismissals on the no-ball. India let England score an extra 240 runs, especially due to the lack of support from other bowlers except Bumrah.
Things India needs to keep in mind to win the IND vs ENG 1st Test 2025
India, already with a lead of 96 runs, would look to have a lead of at least 350 runs. For that, India will have to add another 260 runs to the current lead by the 1st hour of the 3rd session and then provide adequate time for the bowlers to deal with English batsmen. India would like to set a certain target that England batsmen would be tempted to go for it which would eventually create a lot of opportunities for the Indian bowlers. Anything less than 350 won’t be enough to defend on the last day of the test match, if the pitch continues to support the batsmen.
India would also look to rectify all the mistakes which was made during the fielding that resulted in conceding over 200 runs. If India had not misfielded that much, England would have got a follow-on, and India could have won the game by an inning. That’s the beauty of test cricket, the momentum keeps changing over time due to small factors.
India would want every single individual to contribute and turn things in India’s favour. The eyes will be on the 1st hour of Day 4, how KL Rahul and Shubman Gill deal in the challenging first hour, and it will be interesting to watch whether India gets some important contribution from the lower-middle order consisting of Karun Nair, Jadeja, and Shardul with the bat for the success in the IND vs ENG 1st test.
