Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar feels England may still hope to chase 399 in the second Test against India in Vizag.
In what will be India’s most successful final innings chase, the visitors need 332 runs with nine wickets in hand after closing Day 3 on 67/1.
While the West Indies’ 418 is the most successful chase in Test history, Team India’s 387 against England in Chennai in 2008 is the most on Indian soil.
Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo after stumps on Day 3, Manjrekar believed India was missing Ravindra Jadeja, and England’s batting depth had left the door somewhat open for the visitors.
“This target isn’t unthinkable. The pitch has something to do with it, the opposition and their depth which goes to No. 7 now with Ben Stokes. And the fact that Ashwin and Jadeja aren’t playing together will mean India needs Bumrah to bowl like he did in the first innings.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
England’s most successful run chase in India was at Delhi in 1972, when they pursued 208 with six wickets in hand.
However, India should recall that the English chased 378 at Edgbaston in 2022, losing only three wickets.
“India could have batted better but it’s something we’ve come to terms with” – Sanjay Manjrekar
Manjrekar thinks that India could have displayed a more powerful gameplay in their second innings. He also recognizes the batting lineup is currently experiencing changes.
After taking a large 143-run advantage in the first innings, the hosts were swept out for only 255. Aside from Shubman Gill’s 104, no other Indian batter scored more than a half-century.
“India could have batted better but it’s something we’ve come to terms with as this is an Indian team in batting transition. And that is why, while India are in the driver’s seat, England will still have a cent of hope. Rohit Sharma not scoring runs, Jaiswal not carrying on his form in the second innings even if that’s too much to expect. Shreyas Iyer playing that shot which is his way of cashing in. But the objective for Iyer was to compile a big enough innings.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
Manjrekar was also angry with Kuldeep Yadav’s dismissal for trying a slog-sweep while India was seeking to bat England out of the game.
“Down the order as well Patidar failed and KS Bharat in the way he got out. And Kuldeep Yadav, I wish the coach has a stern word with him because in such cases with this kind of opposition, you can’t be looking to play that kind of shot and get out.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
England won the first Test despite trailing by 190 runs, owing to remarkable bat and ball performances from Ollie Pope and Tom Hartley.