Former Pakistan batsman Salman Butt believes Team India is ahead in the first Test at Trent Bridge after the play on Day 4. However, he added that the England bowlers are capable of making a comeback in these conditions and India hasn't run away with the game yet.
India needs another 157 runs more to win on the Day 5 of the opening Test. They have scored 52 runs for the loss of one wicket at the stumps of Day 4 and it was KL Rahul who got out after scoring 26 runs.
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Butt, on his YouTube channel, said that the cloud can arrive anytime and make batting tough for Indian batters. He feels one of the Indian batsmen will need to put up a match-winning knock for the visitors to take 1-0 lead in the series.
“Team India are ahead in the Test but they are not clear favorites to win. You never know when the cloud cover arrives and the ball starts moving around. England’s bowling has been outstanding so far. KL Rahul got a good ball and there wasn’t much he could do much as he got out. So every time a wicket falls, England will be back in the game.
“Someone from the Indian team will have to play a match-winning knock. It could be Rohit Sharma or captain Virat Kohli. Cheteshwar Pujara needs to stay in and take the shine off the ball. The chase won’t be easy and it will be a big victory if Team India win this Test... I feel whoever wins the first session will win the Test," he said.
Indian fast bowlers have been impressive in the first Test at Trent Bridge. They bowled out England on 183 in the first innings and then 303 in the second innings to get a target of 209 runs.
Butt lauded the Indian pacers and mentioned Jasprit Bumrah for being outstanding. Bumrah has picked up 9 wickets in the two innings. He also felt Mohammed Siraj bowled with a lot of aggression and displayed the typical fast bowler's attitude.
“All Indian bowlers bowled really well. Jasprit Bumrah was outstanding. He came in and picked wickets just when Team India needed them. Mohammed Siraj bowled with a lot of heart and showed excellent aggression. He had a go at the batsmen as well and displayed a typical fast bowler’s attitude, which was really good to see. There is no point being a robot, just going in and bowling like a machine. Unless emotions are involved, it doesn’t seem like a sport is being played," he said.
