Veteran pacer James Anderson termed India's batting approach in the second innings as cautious and pointed out that the ‘nerves were evident' on Day 3 of the second Test on February 4. Anderson said that India were uncertain about setting a safe target against England's 'Bazball' strategy.
On Day 3, England were handed a target of 399 runs to chase. However, during the afternoon session, it appeared that they might be facing an even higher chase. At tea, India had reached 227/6, holding a lead of 370 runs. Unfortunately, in the final session, they could only add 28 runs in 14.3 overs, with their lower-order batters unable to chip in once again.
"I think the nerves were there to see today, the way they batted, they didn’t know how many was enough. They were quite cautious, even when they had a big lead," said Anderson after close of play.
England need 332 more runs to pull off a historic a historic victory under challenging Asian conditions, with their day's total resting at 67/1 in 14 overs.
Anderson is confident of a positive outcome for his team in the second Test, mirroring the mindset of the players guided by Ben Stokes' leadership. In 2022, England successfully pursued a target of 378 against India in Birmingham.
“The chat last night from the coach (Brendon McCullum) was that if they get 600, we were going to go for it. It makes it very clear to everyone that we will try to do it tomorrow. I know there are 180 overs left in the game, but we will try to do it in 60 or 70. That’s the way we play, and we saw that tonight with Rehan Ahmed going out and playing his shots,” Anderson said.
"He wanted to get out there and chase those runs down, even tonight. We have set our stall out, tomorrow will be no different, we will play the same way we have (played) the last two years. Whether we win or lose, it’s not relevant because we are extremely competitive and want to win every game we play, but we want to play in a certain way," said the 41-year-old who was England's best bowler across the two innings," pace maestro added.
England have introduced a revolutionary ‘Bazball’ approach to Test cricket, characterised by their exceptionally aggressive style of play. Anderson mentioned that this approach has instilled uncertainty in the minds of their opponents.
"There’s been moments throughout the last 2 years, particularly in the last 12 months, that makes us think we’re doing something well because the way teams have reacted. Going back to the Ashes, first ball of the Ashes having point on the boundary sends a message to us we’re doing something right.
"I don’t know if intimidating is the right word, but it’s putting different thoughts in opposition’s minds and captain’s minds. It definitely felt like that today - it felt like they were unsure what a good score would be against us.
"The wicket is still pretty good, the odd one’s keeping low but you expect that. Also what we’ve seen today is Shubman Gill played brilliantly - it does show there’s still scores to be made out there," Anderson concluded.
The highest-ever successful chase in India was 387 runs when India defeated England in Chennai back in 2008. In the history of Test cricket on Indian soil, a score of 250 or more has been chased down only five times. Out of those five occasions, the hosts have achieved the target four times. West Indies is the sole team to have successfully chased a target of 250 or more in India, accomplishing this feat in 1987.
While England need 332 runs to win the second Test, India are nine wickets away from avenging their Hyderabad defeat.
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