Indian captain Virat Kohli started the ongoing Test series against England with a golden duck in the first Test at Nottingham.
The batsman has since then scored 218 runs in six innings including back-to-back half-centuries in the second innings of the third Test at Headingley and the first innings of the fourth Test at The Oval. He missed out on another fifty when he fell for 44 runs in the second innings of the fourth Test.
Former England player and popular commentator David Lloyd praised England for having 'wonderful plans’ to not allow Kohli to score a big hundred. However, he said that he wouldn't bet against the India captain scoring a big one in the last Test in Old Trafford, Manchester.
“Virat Kohli is still bubbling under! His is such a golden wicket and even though he’s got his 30s, 40s and 50s, he can’t kick on. England have had wonderful plans for him. The captain hasn’t expressed himself yet in this series. He’s got one more chance at Old Trafford — I wouldn’t bet against a big innings there,” Lloyd said while speaking to Daily Mail.
Team India scored 466 runs in the second innings and set England a target of 368 runs. The former England player said that Rishabh Pant (50) and Shardul Thakur (60) had put India in a strong position.
The English openers started positively and ended day four at 77/0. Lloyd further said that someone needed to step up for England on the last day if they were to win the Test match.
“England hit a brick wall in the afternoon session. They got themselves in a jam. Nothing much was happening and Rishabh Pant and Shardul Thakur were playing with controlled aggression. The pair of them got India into a fantastic position and left England with everything to do. But they’ve got plenty of time to do it. Someone has to stand up today,” Lloyd said.
