England vs India 1st Test: What to expect on Day 4 at Edgbaston
The first Test match between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham enters its fourth day today, and for all practical reasons, it is also the final day of this epic match.
Both teams have been trying to outplay one another with the visitors winning more sessions than the hosts.
But none of that will matter. A wicket here or there - particularly that of India skipper Virat Kohli - will mean that England will go 1-up in the five-match series.
But there are some things that one can expect during the first hour, particularly - given that it's an English summer - the overcast conditions.
Firstly, all eyes will be on Kohli. After a brilliant century in the first innings where he shut the door to the ghosts of 2014 English cricket past, the Indian captain will look to finish the match and remain at the crease till the very end. The English bowling attack know the value of his wicket and will attempt to bowl in that corridor of uncertainty.
Secondly, Dinesh Karthik, who looked out of sorts, will look to grab every opportunity he gets. He is 33 years old, and if he stays until the end - hopefully with Kohli - then India knows that they have someone they can rely on lower down the order in this series.
A lot will be expected out of Sam Curran and Ben Stokes. Both are wicket-taking bowlers, with the younger Curran high on confidence after his counter-attacking half-century yesterday. Stokes, too, is a known match-winner and can single-handedly win a Test match for England, like he did in South Africa.
Finally, England's slip cordon, much like the Indian team, will look to hold on to its catches. The Indians were much better on the field in the second innings compared to the first, so England will hope for more consistency
India captain Virat Kohli will ensure that he stays till the very end to give India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series - AFP
Dinesh Karthik will hope that he grabs this opportunity with both hands. The Indian wicketkeeper struggled with the bounce and the light on Day 3 of the Test match, and he hopes that he makes up with the bat on the fourth day - Reuters
Sam Curran, the best player for England in this match, has taken wickets and scored runs. He will look to add to the wickets tally, as he charges in to bowl today - Reuters
That Ben Stokes is a match-winner for England is well-known. He is known to have done it single-handedly as well. Now, all eyes and pressure will be on him to ensure his team goes one-up in this Test match - Reuters
Like India was in the first innings, England's fielding, too, was sloppy. And all eyes will be on the three lions to hold on to anything that comes their way, particularly at first and second slip - Reuters
from Daily News & Analysis https://ift.tt/2vyauwp
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