ENG vs IND 2018: India Will Look For More Contributions From The Other Batsmen: Mohammad Kaif

Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif said India need more contribution from the other batsmen after the narrow loss in the first Test against England.

India made a heavy weather of the 194-run chase in the first Test. In fact, barring Virat Kohli none of the other batsmen not even one could put up a good fight in the entire game.  In the first innings, it was Kohli’s 149-run knock that helped India recover from 100 for 5 and put up 274 in reply to England’s 287. Apart from Kohli, only three players could cross the 20-run mark with Shikhar Dhawan’s 26 being the second highest.

The batsmen then failed to show up in the second innings too. India were all out for 162 while chasing 194. Kohli once again top-scored for his side, scoring a fighting 51. But lack of support from other end once again saw his heroic effort going in vain. The likes of Murali Vijay, KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane all failed to fire as England won the low-scoring game by 31 runs.

And Kaif rightly pointed out that India would look for more contribution from the other batsmen. The former batsmen also said that Sam Curran’s fifty in the second innings made the difference. England were reeling at 87 for 7 in the second innings. However, Curran, playing only his second Test, struck 63 off just 65 to help his side post a respectable 180. The left-arm pacer had also taken 4 wickets in the first innings.

Kaif took to Twitter to deliver his assessment of the game, writing:

“Thrilling test match but England collectively were much better. Sam Curran’s contribution with the bat yesterday eventually turned out to be the difference. India will look for more contributions from the other batsmen #ENGvIND”

Thrilling test match but England collectively were much better. Sam Curran's contribution with the bat yesterday eventually turned out to be the difference. India will look for more contributions from the other batsmen #ENGvIND

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 4, 2018

The second game of the five-match series would get underway on August 9.