India took a 190-run lead against England in the first innings© BCCI/Sportzpics
The Indian cricket team took a big first-innings lead against England at stumps on Friday, with Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel orchestrating a beautiful partnership, taking India past 400-run mark. With Jadeja cruising towards his century, having crossed 80-run mark on Day 3 of the first Test, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar predicted an “innings defeat” for England in the match. With just two days passed in the 5-day opening Test and India’s lead reading 175 runs, Manjrekar suggested that the hosts have done enough to inflict a big defeat on the tourists.
Team India rode on brilliant attacking knocks from Yashasvi Jaiswal (80) and KL Rahul (83) to lay a strong foundation while Jadeja and Axar ensured that the hosts carried the momentum to the third day.
“It looks like Ravindra Jadeja’s innings has ensured an innings defeat for England,” Manjrekar said on ESPNcricinfo.
“I think Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul’s over-attacking game prevented them from their centuries, but I don’t think that the century is important,” Manjrekar said further.
Manjrekar also questioned the way England captain Ben Stokes utilised his bowlers, especially the fact that he didn’t introduce Joe Root earlier in attack. Manjrekar also feels England should’ve picked both James Anderson and Mark Wood in the playing XI.
“Ben Stokes made the late decision to bring in Joe Root to bowl, especially against Yashasvi Jaiswal. England should have kept both Mark Wood and James Anderson in the playing XI. Both are quality bowlers. They actually played more spinners [than usual],” Manjrekar added.
Team India failed to add many runs to their total on Day 3, with Jadeja and Axar both failing to reach their respective hundred and fifty. India added 15 more runs on Saturday morning to take their first innings lead to 190 runs before being bowled out.
For England Joe Root was the pick of the bowlers, with 4 wickets for 79 runs.
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