Virat Kohli called to Manchester to rescue team India vs England

Former cricketers Michael Vaughan and Dinesh Karthik have advocated Virat Kohli-like leadership to rescue Team India vs England. Virat Kohli, the former Indian captain, retired from Test cricket right before the India vs England Tests.

Virat Kohli remains India's greatest Test captain in terms of results. Kohli was close to winning a Test series in England in 2021 in the 5-match Test series when the final Test was postponed to 2022 due to a COVID-19 protocol.

India lost the final Test in 2022 and Virat Kohli was not the captain where Jasprit Bumrah led the side.

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With England tightening the screws on Day 2 at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester, the pressure is firmly shifted on India in the ongoing fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

England ended Day 2 at 225/2, trailing India’s first-innings total of 358 by just 133 runs, thanks to a strong 166-run opening stand between Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett.

Reacting to how things unfolded on Day 2 in Manchester, former England captain Michael Vaughan issued a loud warning to India. He described Day 3 as the “series-defining” moment, making it clear that if England dominated the day, the ongoing fourth Test and the series would be over for India.

India needs that Virat Kohli mentality: Michael Vaughan

Vaughan advised the Shubman Gill-led Indian cricket team to bring the kind of intensity once synonymous with Virat Kohli’s leadership if they want to turn things around in the ongoing fourth Test match against England at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground.

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Michael Vaughan said on Cricbuzz after the end of Day 2: “The series will be decided on Day 3. If England has a great day, I think they're winning this test match, and that's the series done and dusted. India and Shubman Gill have to arrive on Day 3 with that Virat Kohli mentality; we have to win the day. They have to win tomorrow. If they win tomorrow, this game is alive, and India can win this test match. If they lose day three, this series is gone for them.”

Those are big words: Dinesh Karthik on Michael Vaughan's warning

Backing Vaughan’s sentiment, former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik echoed the urgency, saying Day 3 will be a crucial turning point in Manchester. The commentator has further emphasized that India cannot afford a slip-up and must fight hard with the ball to keep the five-match Test series alive.

During the same discussion on Cricbuzz, Dinesh Karthik said, “Those are big words, and I think it's a very fair observation as well. Because walking into day three, as they call it, the moving day, you would almost think the series hangs in the balance on that day. If India wants to stay alive, they need to have a good day with the ball.”

"India need that Kohli mentality" 👀@MichaelVaughan weighs in, on Cricbuzz Chatter 🎙️#ENGvIND #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/iwzs0KOBzm

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) July 25, 2025

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Day 2 of the Manchester Test belongs to England

Meanwhile, England are in a strong position at Manchester, thanks to a stunning five-wicket haul from captain Ben Stokes and a fiery start by Ben Duckett (94) and Zak Crawley (84).

On a cloudy morning, England’s pacers found movement and used the second new ball smartly to bowl India out for 358. Rishabh Pant's valiant attempt to bat despite a broken foot was the highlight of the match. But then Indian bowlers failed to match England’s precision at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground.

They struggled with their lines and lengths, gifting too many runs to England. Duckett and Crawley took full advantage, batting aggressively and scoring over five runs per over. Their attacking intent and the helpful surface left the touring side with plenty to worry about.