"India need 50 to win with 7 wickets down.."- Kevin Pietersen's extraordinary prediction for India vs England 1st Test
Published - 28 Jan 2024, 11:22 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 10:23 AM
Former cricketer Kevin Pietersen made his prediction for Day 4 of the first Test of the five-match series between India and England. Kevin Pietersen stated that India might be seven wickets down at the end of the day’s play in the ongoing red-ball match in Hyderabad.
On Day 3, England’s bowlers wrapped up the remaining three Indian wickets, conceding only 15 runs. The home team was bowled out for 436 runs, taking a substantial 190-run lead in the first innings. At one stage, India seemed to stretch their lead beyond 200 runs.
The visitors got off to a positive start in their second innings, with valuable contributions from the top-order batter. Jasprit Bumrah delivered an exceptional spell of reverse-swing bowling in the second session. He dismissed Ben Duckett and Joe Root in quick succession.
Ollie Pope played a brilliant century in challenging conditions, despite wickets falling from the other end. The England vice-captain scored an unbeaten 148 runs, including 17 fours. England stretched their lead to 126 runs at the end of Day 3 with four wickets in hand.
Despite a shaky start in the first innings, Ollie Pope made a remarkable turnaround in the second innings. Pope displayed his class with a more compact defense and well-timed shots. He played innovative strokes, including the reverse sweep against Indian spinners.
It’s A Marathon And Not A Sprint – Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express optimism for England’s chances, stating that the Test will remain competitive. Pietersen hoped for a thrilling finish on Sunday, with India needing 50 runs to win and seven wickets down.
“It’s a marathon and not a sprint! England’s session by a LONG WAY. If England win this session, this Test is alive. And for the sake of Test cricket, I hope we’re here tomorrow afternoon with India needing 50 to win and 7 wickets down! A grandstand finish on a Sunday please!” Pietersen wrote.
It’s a marathon and not a sprint! Englands session by a LONG WAY. If England win this session, this Test is alive.
And for the sake of Test cricket, I hope we’re here tomorrow afternoon with India needing 50 to win and 7 wickets down! A grandstand finish on a Sunday please!…
The home team has a deep batting lineup, featuring Axar Patel at No. 9, and their batters are currently in excellent form. The Rohit Sharma-led team would be hoping to bowl out the opposition early in the day. They would struggle even if the target is over 200 runs.
Hopefully In For A Tight Finish Tomorrow – Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen emphasized that the lead held by England sets the stage for an exciting and closely contested finish.
“If you’re a lover of Test cricket, no matter if you’re English or Indian, we should all love the fact that England have a lead and we’re hopefully in for a tight finish tomorrow,” Pietersen tweeted after the close of play.
Earlier, England was bundled out for 246 in the first innings after opting to bat first at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Skipper Ben Stokes was the standout performer for the visiting team, scoring 70 runs off 88 balls with the help of six fours and three sixes.
Also read: Kevin Pietersen challenges Harsha Bhogle for arm wrestling after a banter over ‘switch-hit’
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