Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has lauded the Indian skipper Virat Kohli for his half-century in the first innings of the fourth Test. It was Kohli's second fifty in the series and Inzamam feels it was a good knock considering the pitch wasn't easy to score runs.
Kohli scored 50 runs off 96 deliveries before edging a delivery from England pacer Ollie Robinson to wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow. Inzamam, however, felt the India captain should have converted the start to a big score which he failed.
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“A score of 50 is not a big one for Virat Kohli. But, according to me, he batted really well. Scoring even 50 wasn't easy on this pitch. Yes, Kohli had got set and could have carried on but he got a good ball. Compared to others though, he batted really well. If you look at the other batters, they made 10, 11, 14. So, Kohli’s innings was crucial in that context," he said on his YouTube channel.
India managed only 191 runs on Day 1 of the ongoing fourth Test at The Oval. Inzamam said the score is a lot better than what it looks due to the tough batting conditions.
"191 looks like a small total. But on this pitch, there is a lot of seam moment, so it is not all that bad a total. It was a very difficult wicket to bat on. After a long time, I have seen such a surface. Even after 50 overs, it seemed like the ball was still new. It was swinging throughout, there was moisture on the pitch and the weather conditions too were conducive for bowlers," he said.
India could reach a fighting total after Shardul Thakur smashed 57 runs off only 36 deliveries. His counter-attack with the bat included 7 fours and 3 sixes at a strike rate of 158.33. Shardul and Umesh Yadav added 63 runs for the 8th wicket.
“The one over Shardul Thakur played before tea, he batted with such confidence, he looked much more assured than the others. Some of the others had their pad behind their bats and the ball was going behind the wickets. But, right from the start, Thakur was playing very straight. The way he was batting, it seemed as if he was having net practice. He just went after the bowling. According to me, his fifty could prove vital at the end of the game," he said.
The visitors have a good opportunity to take control of the game by bundling out England cheaply in the first innings. They have already lost captain Joe Root before the end of the first day's play. Root was bowled by Umesh an over before the stump. England are currently at 53/3.
