Virat Kohli-led India is on the verge of winning the opening match of the 5-match Test series against England. England gave India 209 runs targets to chase. Joe Root was brilliant with the bat as he scored a sensational century. Also Former Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt feels India are not clear favorites to win as English conditions might provide a lot of support to bowlers.
Meanwhile, Team India lost the wicket of KL Rahul while chasing the target on Day 4. Rahul was dismissed on 26 by fast bowler Stuart Broad in the 11th over. Notably, KL Rahul was India’s highest run-scorer in the first innings as he smashed brilliant 84 runs.
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt feels India is not the clear favorite to win the first Test against England. Butt believes the English conditions might favor in-form England bowlers during Day 5. While previewing the match on YouTube channel butt started:
“Team India are ahead in the Test but they are not clear favourites to win. You never know when the cloud cover arrives and the ball starts moving around. England’s bowling has been outstanding so far. KL Rahul got a good ball and there wasn’t much he could do much as he got out. So every time a wicket falls, England will be back in the game.”
Salman Butt opined that one of the batters from team India has to play a match-winning knock for the team. Also, he believes the chase will not be very easy for the Indian team. Salman Butt stated:
“Someone from the Indian team will have to play a match-winning knock. It could be Rohit Sharma or captain Virat Kohli. Cheteshwar Pujara needs to stay in and take the shine off the ball. The chase won’t be easy and it will be a big victory if Team India win this Test… I feel whoever wins the first session will win the Test.”
“Jasprit Bumrah was outstanding”: Salman Butt
Jasprit Bumrah had a brilliant outing in the first Test against England. Bumrah picked a 4-wicket haul in the first innings in the second innings he performed even better and bagged a 5 wicket haul. Meanwhile, Mohammad Shami, Shardul Thakur , and Mohammad Siraj got a total of 4,4, and 3 wickets respectively in the match.
Salman Butt has praised the Indian pacer for putting India in the dominating position in the match. Butt elaborated:
“All Indian bowlers bowled really well. Jasprit Bumrah was outstanding. He came in and picked wickets just when Team India needed them. Mohammed Siraj bowled with a lot of heart and showed excellent aggression. He had a go at the batsmen as well and displayed a typical fast bowler’s attitude, which was really good to see. There is no point being a robot, just going in and bowling like a machine. Unless emotions are involved, it doesn’t seem like a sport is being played.”
Currently, India is at 52/1 with Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara on the crease while needing 157 runs to win on the final day.
