ENG v IND 2021: India played thinking that we don’t need this win today- Vaughan slams visitors’ batting

India was bowled out 78 on day one of third Test in Headingley.

Michael Vaughan known for his strong opinions on social media came down hard on the Indian team after their shockingly bad performance on day one of the third Test against England at Leeds. India captain Virat Kohli won the toss and chose to bat first.

The decision proved to be a bad one as James Anderson picked 3/6 and routed the top order in an 8-over spell. KL Rahul made 0, Cheteshwar Pujara made 1 and Kohli managed 7 as all three fell to Anderson, caught by Jos Buttler behind the stumps.

In the end, only Rohit Sharma (19) and Ajinkya Rahane (18) managed to go past double digits as India folded for 78 runs, with Craig Overton also picking three wickets, while Robinson and Curran got two each.

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Michael Vaughan, while speaking on the BBC’s Test Match Special podcast, pointed out that it was important to win key moments in a game of cricket and India missed out on it.

“They got so excited about that moment that this is a bit of a comedown. For India, they are a one-love up. There are two Tests to play after this. Just in the back of their minds, they were thinking, probably we don’t need this win today. It’s about winning key moments. India won it at Lord’s on that last day. England won it this morning,” said Michael Vaughan.

Vaughan further said that India’s performance on day one of the third Test reminded him of their struggles with the bat on the previous two tours in 2014 and 2018.

“I think they have got that know-how of knowing how to win the big series. We have seen that in Australia. But, today is a day that I felt they played like Indian teams of the last couple of series. Towards the end of a series, when the series has gone, you get back over those series and look at the India side, the ball is swinging, and it’s like, we can’t play. They are a better team than that," Michael Vaughan added.

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However, Vaughan said that all is not lost in this Test match and India still has a chance of coming back into the game. He said that the first session on Day 2 will be key for them. There will be a bit of movement on offer and the seamers will have to take some quick wickets.

“What you can do in a situation like this is you can try to gather something back in the morning. Probably it will swing a little bit more, generally always does. They can bowl England out for 280 – 300. And they can go on and get 400 in the second innings,” added Michael Vaughan.

England will resume on day two at 120/0 with both openers Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns unbeaten with half-centuries to their name.

(BBC’s Test Match Special podcast inputs)