Despite England winning the first Test in Hyderabad on January 28, former England captain Michael Vaughan hasn’t dismissed the possibility of India securing a series victory. Vaughan anticipates a dilemma for India regarding the pitch preparation for the second Test, as England performed well on standard pitches.
In the initial Test, England, after trailing by 190 runs on Day 2, managed to secure a 230-run lead, eventually winning the match by 28 runs. In his column for The Telegraph, Vaughan emphasized the importance for India to refrain from playing on excessively turning pitches, stating:
“I still think India are favourites to win the series, because they will react. But India will be second-guessing themselves about what pitches to prepare. I don’t know how the pitches can turn any more than this one did – it ragged. I said before the series I thought India were better off preparing a flatter wicket than one with more turn.”
India’s spin duo, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, performed below their usual high standards. Together, they managed to secure 11 wickets, but England achieved a scoring rate well above 4 runs per over in the second innings.
“The future of West Indies depends on how wealth is distributed”- Michael Vaughan
Michael Vaughan also commented on West Indies’ remarkable Test victory over Australia in Brisbane on Sunday. The former cricketer, now a commentator, suggested that there is a possibility Shamar Joseph might opt for the T20 path, explaining:
“West Indies arrived with seven debutants in their squad – four have made their debuts. They have all contributed. One of those, Shamar Joseph, has bowled his heart out, with an injured toe, to deliver West Indies a magical win. But West Indies’ future depends on the distribution of wealth. There’s a great danger that Shamar Joseph goes down the Twenty20 route.”
Joseph, who achieved a five-wicket haul in his debut, played a crucial role by securing seven wickets as the West Indies effectively defended a target of 216, winning by eight runs at the Gabba.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
