Former England captain Michael Vaughan has urged India to bring a Virat Kohli-like mentality on Day three of the ongoing fourth Manchester Test against England. The expert feels Day three could be a series-defining one, urging the Shubman Gill-led side to channel the dogged intensity and determination of Kohli heading into the third day's play.
The hosts finished second Day's play at 225/2, trailing visitors by just 133 runs. England openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley came with an attacking mindset and kept playing their shots, as India's pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and debutant Anshul Kamboj erred in line and length. While India's bowlers managed to pick two late wickets, the damage was already done by the English duo.
With the hosts having a strong advantage heading into Day three at the Old Trafford Test, Vaughan stated the importance of Day three on Cricbuzz.
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Dinesh Karthik echoes sentiments by Michael Vaughan, urges India to play with positive intent
"The series will be decided on Day three. If England have a great day, I think they are winning this Test match and that's the series done and dusted," he said. "India and Shubman have to arrive on Day three with that Virat mentality. We have to win the day. If they win tomorrow, the game is alive. If they lose, the series is gone."
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Backing the expert's statement, Dinesh Karthik added, "Those are big words, and I think it's a very fair observation as well. Because walking into Day three, as they call it, it's a very fair observation as well. Because walking on Day three, as they call it, moving day, you would almost think the series hangs in the balance on that day. If India wants to stay alive, they need to have a good day with the ball."
India's bowlers on Friday need to pick regular wickets if they have to restrict the hosts to below 400 total. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja will be the two key bowlers for India, while for England, Joe Root and Jamie Smith will be the two key players.
