Former England captain Michael Vaughan was full of praise for India’s Test captain Virat Kohli after the latter slammed his career-best Test score and broke plenty of records in the process. He spoke about England’s approach in the second innings and the atmosphere at the ground as well.
After coming in early on day three, Kohli scripted one of his finest Test innings yet as he scored 235 to help India not only overhaul England’s tally of 400 but also take a massive 231-run lead and add 241 runs for the eighth wicket with Jayant Yadav, who scored his maiden Test century.
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“Virat Kohli is doing wonders for Test-match cricket. MS Dhoni didn't take it too seriously,” Michael Vaughan said on BBC Test Match Special. “It’s the first time I've been to India and seen a crowd like this for a long time.“
Speaking about England’s tactics in the second innings, where they decided to attack the bowlers, despite losing three key wickets before tea on day two, Vaughan admitted that they did the right thing.
“It's been so entertaining. It's full-scale attack from England - reverse sweeps, lap slogs, dancing down the pitch. Full credit to them - they've had a real good go in the second innings. They've done the right thing, putting a few men on the boundary by playing shots. It is beautiful variations that Ashwin has. What a day India have had but you've got to give England credit for the way they've played,” the former English skipper said.
The former skipper also admitted that having lost six wickets already and still trailing, England aren’t well placed in the game and it is something that he predicted earlier in the day as well. “I don’t think it will be long tomorrow - it won’t be easy on this wicket,” he added.
Vaughan’s advice for Cook
In his role as a columnist for the Telegraph, he also had some advice for current captain Cook, who he believes can stay on as captain but needs to learn to delegate responsibilities to other key members of the side. The 42-year-old admitted that England are “so close to being a very good side” but they need to allow the younger players to take more responsibility.
“Alastair Cook could stay on as captain for another year or so but if that happens he needs to allow other players to lead the team. It is so obvious Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler are the new leadership group with strong cricket brains, and are good under pressure. These guys will be around for at least the next five years in Test cricket, if not longer, so they should be allowed to mould how the team plays going forward,” he added.
At the end of the day four, India are in pole position to not only win the fourth Test but also claim the series. England trail by 49 runs and only four wickets in hand as they try to stage an unlikely comeback in the fourth Test and keep the series alive.
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