India are playing England at Visakhapatnam in the second Test of the five-match series. On the first day itself, captain Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara batted India into the game after they lost early wickets. Both the batsmen hit a century and scored a hundred each. Kohli got out on the second day. But India’s position is strong. From here they can easily win. Here are five reasons why they can outplay England.
- Massive score: Indian lower order contributed in India’s score. They crossed 450 runs in the first innings and it is a great score on a turning track. On the first day, the pitch was not turning and hence it was easy for the batsmen to score. India have a huge opportunity to tighten their grip on the match. (Read more: England beware! There is more than one reason to FEAR Pujara)
- Spin hazard: England lost a very important toss. Sourav Ganguly told a news channels that Vizag pitch will start turning at the later stage of the game. But it has started turning on Day 2. England bowlers Moeen Ali, Rashid were troubling Indian batsmen on day 2. This is a very good sign for Indian spin bowlers who would bowl on day 2 and day 3. (Read more: Virat Kohli calm down. Breathe. Inner peace. Learn from Shifu)
- Batting disadvantage: The opportunities that were being presented to the batsmen on day 1 by the groundsman would not be there on day 2. India lost 6 wickets on Day 2. This is because many times the ball was keeping low and most of times it was generating good bounce. This creates opportunities for bowlers to take wickets. And also the ball has started spinning and the pitch will become a bowler’s paradise in the later part of day 2 and day 3. (Read more: Here’s why Joe Root is a better Test batsman than Virat Kohli)
- New kid on the block: India have played Jayant Yadav who is not known in international cricket much. He has taken a lot many wickets in domestic cricket. He might spring a surprise to the England batsmen. Also, we have seasoned campaigners like R Ashwin who can devastate any batting line-up in the world in a few spells. (Read more: Test debutant Jayant Yadav is a fierce fighter in personal life. Here is why)
- The last day menace: The team that is batting in the last innings would be in great discomfort here. The ball would be turning massively. In this match, it would be England. Ashwin gets really dangerous in the fourth innings.
