Debasis Sen, London: In a bid to draw parity in the ensuing test series the Indian team management has decided not to waste the travelling day on Monday. Virat Kohli and his team will be travelling to the port city of Southampton tomorrow to take part in the fourth test match against England. Normally it has been a practice on this trip that there will be no practice on travelling days. But the team management decided against as they will head to the Rose Bowl after checking in at their hotel on Monday to train in the afternoon.
If India pulls off an incredible 3-2 win in the series, away from home, to win the coveted Pataudi Trophy, it will be a feat no team has achieved in the history of Test cricket. As we head into the Southampton Test, next week, a series win for India may look improbable. But then, for a team that is ranked number one in Test cricket, impossible is nothing.
The Indians will be confident after their convincing win at Trent Bridge. It was a complete team effort with contributions from everyone. The captain himself led from the front scoring a brilliant hundred in the second innings. He also scored 97 runs in the first innings. The openers Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul may not scored a big partnership but the time they spent in the middle was encouraging. They stayed put at the crease for 20 overs against Anderson and Broad. Kohli and the off-form Ajinkya Rahane then put their heads down to add 159 runs for the fourth wicket. The Indians ended the day at 307 for 6.
All the bowlers chipped in well but one who stands out was Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah. Both of them took a five-fer in each innings respectively. Shami, Ishant also bowled well in both innings without much luck.
To win the series, the Indians need to first win the Test at the Aeges Bowl, Southampton. Only then can they think of winning the Test at the Kia Oval, and with it the series. Their focus as of now should be only on winning the fourth Test as of now.