Former India opener Virender Sehwag has issued a warning for Virat Kohli and company, saying that the hosts England will bounce back stronger in the fourth Test.
India secured a comprehensive 203-run victory over England in the third Test at Trent Bridge to stay alive in the five-Test series, trailing 2-1 going into the fourth Test at The Ageas Bowl next week.
"India will have to win the 4th Test if they want to clinch the series. It will be a do or die clash for them. If they fail to win, hopes of winning the series will surely end and at the most they can draw the series," Sehwag told India TV.
"Nothing is impossible, if India play the same way like they did at Trent Birdge with their batting and bowling, they can make an impact, but it would be very difficult, not impossible. India would have to play some very good cricket because like the way India made a comeback after two losses, England will do the same," he added.
Kohli reclaimed the top spot in the latest ICC Test Rankings for batsman. He was the top-scorer for India both the innings at Trent Bridge. The Indian captain missed a century by just 3 runs in the first innings but he returned even stronger in the second dig to notch up his 23rd Test century (103). For his 200 runs in the match, Virat was adjudged Man of the Match.
Talking about Kohli’s accomplishment, Sehwag said: "It's a huge achievement for Virat, but I don't think rankings would make a difference for him, because I think that his goal would be bigger, something like reaching Tendulkar's 100 centuries and leading India to victories."
During the 2014 England tour, Kohli had aggregated only 134 runs at a dismal average of 13.40 in five Test matches. However, he was determined to do well this time around. The 29-year-old waged a lone battle in the first Test at Edgbaston, scoring a magnificent 149 in the first innings and followed it with a flawless 51 in the second dig.
Virat has already crossed the 400-run mark in this series, becoming only the second Indian captain after Mohammad Azharuddin (426) to do so against England. Overall, he is the sixth Indian batsman to achieve this feat.
With two Tests still to go, it will be interesting to see how many runs Kohli manages to add in his already astonishing tally. While Southampton will host the fourth Test from August 30, the fifth and final Test will be played at The Oval from September 7.
