Virat Kohli has been a horror for England in the ongoing first test but James Anderson says it will be a dream to remove him early on the fourth day. The Indian captain notched up 149 runs in first innings to take India to 274, falling short of just 13 runs from England’s first innings total. In the second innings, he held one end of the wicket and is unbeaten at 43 with 84 more runs required to win the first test at Edgbaston.
The pendulum is swinging on even terms but the first hour of the 4th day play will set the tone of the match.
What Anderson said.
“We need five wickets it’s as simple as that,” said Anderson.
“We need them fairly quickly otherwise they’ll get the runs, so we’ve got to give it everything we’ve got in the morning for the first 15-20 overs, leave nothing out there. Just give it everything we’ve got.
“It’s a really exciting place to be because you know we could do something special by winning this Test match, such a close Test match, so we will go to bed dreaming about getting Kohli out first thing.
“Nobody is invincible in world cricket. I have been encouraged by the way I have bowled at him so far. On another day I could have got him for 21 and nobody would be talking about how brilliant he is, but that is not the case.”
Sam Curran to the rescue
Ishant Sharma’s majestic spell meant England were struggling at 87-7 but a young Sam Curran had some other plans as he notched up 63 runs off just 65 balls to take the England innings to 180. India needs to chase down 194 runs to triumph in the first test but it won’t be easy considering the typical English conditions offering something for the pacers on the 4th day.
Anderson praises Curran
“He(Sam Curran) is a really impressive lad. I remember me as a 20-year-old and I did not know what was going on and I was in awe of everyone,” Anderson said.
“But he has been around a bit and now his game is really well set up for a young lad. His skills are brilliant with the ball, he knows how to set the batsmen up and we have seen talent with the bat.
“I have spoken to Alec Stewart [Surrey director of cricket] about his batting and he and a few other people have said he has the ability to be a top-six batsman.
“He has a bit of fight in him as well. To go out in that situation, make a fifty, shows guts. To get the team back in it was brilliant to see from a young lad.”
India will resume their day from 110/5 with 84 more require for victory. Virat Kohli 43*, Dinesh Karthik 18*
