Former Pakistan skipper Salman Butt heaped praise on the Indian cricket team for their inspiring comeback with the bat on Day 3 in the ongoing first Test against England at Trent Bridge, saying they could make a stunning fightback because of their never-say-die attitude on Friday (August 6).
After tumbling England for 183, India had a great start but suffer a minor batting collapse as they were suddenly reduced to 112/4 from 97/0 with Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Puajra, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane all gone in quick succession on Day 2 at Nottingham.
However, comeback man KL Rahul took the charge of the team and scored 84 off 214 deliveries while Ravindra Jadeja smashed a crucial 56 and Jasprit Bumrah also contributed a handy 28 to power the tourists to 278 in the first innings against England on Friday.
Hailing India batters for their brilliant effort on Day 3, Butt reckoned that if Indian bowlers can bowl a couple of good spells and put the England batters under pressure and manage to restrict the hosts to a low score in the second innings, then no one can stop them from winning the first Test at Trent Bridge.
Butt said on his YouTube channel, “India’s comeback was because of their never-say-die attitude they have developed in recent years. Their lesser-experienced guys like KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant stood up. India tried their best and everybody pitched in to get that vital 95-run lead. Now it is up to the bowlers and it all depends on how they respond to the situation.”
He added, “Presently, England are 25 for no loss. But the pitch is such, and under overcast conditions, the ball seams so much that wickets fall in groups of two or three. If someone among Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, or Shardul Thakur can come up with a good spell, then anything is possible. If someone can claim 3-4 wickets in a spell and the other can chip in with a couple… If England’s lead does not go above 200, then it is very much possible for India to win this match.”
Analyzing the performance of both teams so far, the veteran batsman has pointed out that England will only have a chance to win the five-match Test series if the tourists play really poor cricket against the apparently weakened hosts.
Butt signed off by saying, “Once you are up with a good start in a five-Test series, then it is not easy for the other side to make a comeback, especially when their resources are limited. Remember, there is no Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes or Mark Wood. With the present lot that England have unless India plays cricket which is below their standard, the visitors should be able to beat the Englishmen.”
