'India need the Virat mentality': Former England captain warns Shubman Gill's side ahead of 'series-defining' Day 3
NEW DELHI: As England tightened their grip on the fourth Test at Old Trafford, former skipper Michael Vaughan delivered a rallying call for India, urging Shubman Gill's side to channel the intensity of Virat Kohli heading into what he described as the 'series-defining' Day 3.
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At stumps on Day 2, England were well-positioned at 225/2, trailing India's first-innings total of 358 by just 133 runs. Openers Zak Crawley (84) and Ben Duckett (94) put on a blistering 166-run stand before both fell short of centuries. Debutant Anshul Kamboj claimed his maiden wicket when Duckett edged to stand-in wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel.
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How and why Rishabh Pant's England tour could come to an abrupt end due to toe fracture
With England already leading the five-match series 2-1, Vaughan stressed the importance of Day 3 on Cricbuzz.
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Will India win Day 3 of the fourth Test?
Yes, they will bounce back!
No, England will dominate.
'The series will be decided on Day Three. If England have a great day, I think they're 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.'
Backing Vaughan's assessment, 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, the 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."
All eyes will be on India's bowlers on Friday — as they look to summon the fight and fire that defined the Kohli era.
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