Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar suggests that England can still entertain hopes of chasing down 399 in the second Test against India in Vizag. In that case, this would be the highest-successful final innings chase in India. The visitors need a further 332 runs with nine wickets in hand after finishing Day 3 on 67/1.
The West Indies’ successful chase of 418 stands as the highest-ever run chase in Test history, while India’s pursuit of 387 against England in Chennai in 2008 is the highest on Indian soil.
England have a lot of depth with No.7 Ben Stokes coming to bat- Sanjay Manjrekar
In an interaction with ESPN Cricinfo at the end of Day 3, Sanjay Manjrekar expressed the opinion that India is feeling the absence of Ravindra Jadeja, and England’s batting depth has provided them with a slim chance in the second Test.
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,” said Sanjay Manjrekar.
England’s highest successful run-chase in India dates back to 1972 in Delhi when they chased 208 with six wickets in hand. Notably, England had a successful run-chase against India in 2022 at Edgbaston, where they chased 378, losing only three wickets.
India could have batted better– Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar believes that India could have batted better in their second innings, even though they are in a transition phase with their batting lineup. Despite a substantial 143-run lead in the first innings, India only managed to score 255 in the second innings, with Shubman Gill being the lone centurion.
“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, and 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,” said Sanjay Manjrekar.
Manjrekar also expressed disappointment with Kuldeep Yadav’s dismissal, criticizing the attempt to play a slog-sweep when India was in a strong position to bat England out of the contest.
“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,” concluded Manjrekar.
England emerged victorious in the first Test after facing a substantial 190-run deficit, with standout performances from Ollie Pope and Tom Hartley contributing significantly with bat and ball.